New efforts to make local rented homes more energy efficient are paying off, one of Bristol’s main housing associations said this week.

Sovereign Housing Association has revealed that nearly 600 homes received new windows and doors in the year to March, pushing the Horfield-based landlord into the top 25 per cent of housing associations for energy efficiency.

Announcing the results of last year’s £19m repairs programme, Sovereign said 97 per cent of its 14000-plus property portfolio – including more than 1000 in the Bristol area – now complied with modern living standards outlined by the government.

A further 150 homes received new insulation, while nearly 100 old boilers were replaced, helping to reduce the carbon footprint for Sovereign’s older properties.

Managing Director Paul Crawford said: “Our customers have rising expectations of what they expect when taking on a Sovereign home, and reducing energy bills is a great way of saving residents money, while reducing our impact on the environment.”

For the year to March, Sovereign completed 742 new homes, including 50 at Temple Quay, 42 in Highbridge, and 25 in Bedminster. Since then, new developments have started in Kingswood, Harbourside and Brislington.

Looking ahead, Paul Crawford said Sovereign would be working harder to improve neighbourhoods, rather than just homes.

He added: “Our new strategy is not just about managing and maintaining homes, tenancies and estates. It’s about getting more involved in the environment beyond people’s front doors. “

Published 11 October 2007
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