Sunderland housing group delivers £42m investment to thousands of properties

Gentoo has announced it has successfully delivered £42m worth of investment work in 2022/23 to around 7,000 properties.

The investment plan which has reduced Gentoo’s carbon emissions by more than 6,000 TCO2 saw homes benefit from a range of internal and external improvements ranging from roof replacements to full electrical rewires.

The £42m investment included £1.24m of funding from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The funding was used to improve the energy efficiency of 400 homes by improving fabric measures and retrofitting 20 homes in Whinfell, Washington.

Over 2,714 properties had new double-glazed windows installed. 629 properties benefitted from internal modernisation work. 1,242 properties had a new boiler installed including 261 properties previously connected to an old inefficient district heating network in Washington.

84 homes were modernised as part of the Group’s Pennywell modernisation programme. The programme will see more than 1,100 homes modernised over a three-year period using a ‘whole house’ approach.

This approach see’s tenants benefit from new roofs to their homes and outbuildings, new front door canopies, double glazing, loft insulation, cladding or render on outbuildings, new front garden walls and fences and decoration to the outside of properties.

Mrs Owens has lived in her home for more than 30 years. Her home has recently benefited from a full rewire and new kitchen.

Mrs Owens commented: “The operatives from Equans were very cheerful and pleasant while working in my home. I was very apprehensive about the work as we have a lot of stuff through living in this property for more than 30 years. The Resident Liaison Officer from Equans kept in regular contact and helped put my mind at ease.”

Marc Edwards, director of asset and sustainability at Gentoo Group, added: “I’m incredibly proud of the work my team and our contractors have delivered throughout 2022/23. The Group is committed to continually investing in its stock to ensure our tenants have safe and decent homes.

“Our 2023/24 investment plan will see the Group further invest in its stock with a particular focus on improving the energy efficiency of homes and the building safety of its 25 high-rise buildings.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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