“A Warm Welcome…” Nick Sheward Energy Action Fuel Poverty Conference 2014
Outline of Presentation Why the need for a Fuel Poverty Strategy Background on Clúid Problems Solutions
What is / Who are ‘Clúid’? “Approved Housing Body” Approved status 1994 First scheme into management 1996 Now manage nearly 6,000 properties Tenants referred by Local Authority
Problems Stock Profile Tenant Profile Energy Performance of Stock
Problems – Stock Profile Procurement: Build / Buy / Lease 60% of stock not designed by Clúid Expansion at height of boom
Problems – Stock Profile Estate Sizes: Range from single properties to estates with 100 plus units 25% have in excess of 39 units However 24% have less than 9 units Economies of scale for estate based programmes.
Problems – Stock Profile Location: National housing association with properties in all counties Geographical spread impacts on fuel poverty Connection to Natural Gas grid Climatic Exposure / Temp. Differentials Estate Sizes
Problems – Tenant Profile Risk of Fuel Poverty: 61% are not in employment 30% are in employment 8% in education or training 1% doing something else!
Problems – Tenant Profile Risk of Fuel Poverty: Average rent €47.05 Average household income of €285/week 10% rule indicates significant risk of fuel poverty (Average weekly spend on energy in 2013 c€42.30)
Problems – Tenant Profile Rental Income: Capital Grants / Differential Rents Debt Finance / Differential Rents ‘Differential Rent’ based on affordability and can be as low as €10 per week Wide variety within an estate.
Energy Performance Modern Stock… Should be good then
Energy Performance Average BER score of D1! Nearly 55% stock not designed by Clúid Expansion at height of boom Issues with opinions on compliance and regulatory system Nearly 40% apartments (high proportion of storage heating) BER System not an exact science
Problems – Summary High risk of fuel poverty Poor levels of energy performance Limited options to self fund
Solutions – To date Active retrofit programme Deeper retrofit pilot Support and advice on energy switching
Solutions – The Future Where to go from here? Fuel Poverty Strategy not just a Retrofit Strategy. Research Bursary 2013 “A Warm Welcome…”
Solutions – The Future Risk of Fuel Poverty calculated according to: Energy performance of dwelling Household Income Estate Degree Days Now have an index to rank and priorities schemes
Solutions – The Future Risk of Fuel Poverty calculated according to: Energy performance of dwelling Household Income Estate Degree Days Now have an index to rank and priorities schemes
Thank you