The North East Combined Authority has welcomed the Government’s latest national measures to accelerate delivery of warm, secure and energy‑efficient social homes, and has confirmed it will work closely with ministers to ensure communities across the region benefit as quickly as possible.
The announcement, made this week as part of the Government’s plan to boost social and affordable housebuilding, raise national housing standards and tackle damp, mould and poor insulation, aligns closely with the North East’s mission to reduce fuel poverty, improve home energy efficiency and secure fairer long‑term housing outcomes.
The North East CA is already making significant progress through:
- The North East Warm Homes Taskforce
- A new free regional energy advice service
- A strong regional focus on retrofit skills, supply chains and neighbourhood‑led delivery models
The region’s homes are among the oldest and least energy‑efficient in England, with some of the highest levels of fuel poverty, making home warmth and health outcomes one of the Combined Authority’s most urgent priorities.
The Government is preparing to open a £39 billion bidding window for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The programme aims to deliver around 300,000 new social and affordable homes, with 60% designated for social rent.
The North East CA says it will work with councils and housing providers to maximise the region’s share of future SAHP opportunities and ensure national flexibilities are put to full use.
Karen Clark, Chair of the North East Warm Homes Taskforce, commented:
“With the Government’s Warm Homes Plan now reinforced by today’s wider package of national housing measures, the North East CA will work closely with ministers and partners to ensure these commitments translate into real-world improvements for households across the North East - from warmer, safer homes to reduced energy bills and fairer housing standards.
“Here in the North East, too many families face the sharp end of rising energy costs, cold homes and fuel poverty, and that is unacceptable.
“The progress we have already made through our Warm Homes Taskforce and our new energy advice service shows what local leadership can achieve. With a clearer national drive on housing standards, energy efficiency and affordable homes, we can go further and faster - improving lives, cutting bills and delivering the warm, healthy homes every household deserves.”
The North East CA will work with Government, local authorities and housing associations to ensure national measures deliver maximum impact regionally, focusing on:
- Aligning national housing standards with the region’s retrofit mission
Ensuring families benefit from healthier, warmer homes as quickly as possible. - Supporting take‑up of new national flexibilities
Helping councils and housing associations navigate future funding opportunities. - Raising housing quality across all tenures
Including vital improvements in the private rented sector. - Ensuring energy‑efficiency upgrades cut bills
Particularly for the most vulnerable households.
From simple measures like draughtproofing to major upgrades such as insulation, heat pumps and solar, the North East Warm Homes programme is designed to guide residents at every stage.
The North East CA says the Government’s package, combined with existing regional activity, will help accelerate the shift towards safer, healthier homes and reduce the long‑standing inequalities linked to poor housing conditions and fuel poverty.
The region remains committed to working in partnership nationally to secure faster progress and ensure communities feel the benefits sooner.
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