Harrow Council is set to upgrade 144 homes with £2 million in funding aimed at improving energy efficiency, following a decision made at a Portfolio Holder Decision Meeting on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. The project aims to reduce fuel poverty and energy costs for residents, improve the thermal performance of social housing stock, and decrease carbon emissions in line with local and national net zero targets.

The funding, secured through Wave 3 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), also known as the Warmer Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH: SHF), will enable the council to carry out retrofit works on its housing stock. Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, approved the recommendations outlined in a report, paving the way for Harrow to enter a partnership agreement with London Councils and receive £1,990,914.00 in grant funding.

The 144 homes to be upgraded are within the council's existing housing stock. Harrow's priority under Wave 3 is to complete remaining retrofit works to its British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF) and ORLIT (steel-framed) housing stock, using external wall insulation. Projects will primarily target insulation measures (external, cavity, loft, and underfloor) and low-carbon heating technologies such as solar PV and mechanical ventilation upgrades.

The council has also approved the direct appointment of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver the Warmer Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3 programme. According to the Public Reports Pack, SBS delivered decarbonisation works under Wave 2.1 at a lower cost than the formally procured SHDF contractor, while achieving full compliance with programme standards. The specific 'programme standards' are not defined in the report.

Councillor Osborn considered the option of not proceeding with Wave 3, but the report warned that this could result in the allocated grant funding being withdrawn or reallocated, delaying improvements to energy efficiency across Harrow's housing stock. Approval of the recommendation ensures Harrow remains a core partner within the London Councils Strategic Partnership.

The council previously secured £2.147 million under the SHDF Wave 2.1 programme, delivering energy-efficiency improvements to 200 homes by March 2026. Recent changes in management structure and enhanced contract management checks have been introduced to strengthen oversight across all decarbonisation programmes. These changes include:

  • Re-procurement of underperforming contracts from Wave 2.1 to ensure best value and quality outcomes. £3.2m reduction in costs to date.
  • Establishment of a dedicated delivery team to manage programme integration and stakeholder coordination; and
  • Clear alignment with the London Councils governance framework to ensure compliance and timely delivery.

Works will be coordinated in a manner which minimizes disturbance on a resident-by resident basis. Vulnerable residents are prioritised, and the council will work closely with them, with a contingency plan in place. Resident feedback will ensure overall strategic partnership goals are met.

Bellrock will continue to provide programme management and administrative oversight, and Harrow has commenced engagement with RISE (Retrofit Information, Support & Expertise) — a national centre of excellence supporting housing providers and supply chains across England. Through RISE's expert-led support, Harrow will:

  • Build on lessons learned from Wave 2.1, embedding a residents-first approach to retrofit planning and implementation.
  • Access ongoing professional development for staff and supply-chain partners; and
  • Strengthen its future funding pipeline towards 2030, supporting wider decarbonisation and quality-assurance commitments under emerging regulatory frameworks.

More information can be found in the Public Reports Pack.