Housing Retrofit Collaboration Group (HRCG)

The Hub West Housing Retrofit Collaboration Group brings together social housing organisations to work together on improving existing homes. The group helps organisations share knowledge, develop common ways of working, and plan large scale upgrades to existing homes. These upgrades are essential to help Scotland meet its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2045 and address fuel poverty.

By working collaboratively, members can:

  • Avoid repeating the same work
  • Build stronger, more deliverable plans
  • Use shared data and proven solutions
  • Access a more reliable supply chain

This helps organisations move from early ideas to real, deliverable retrofit plans with greater confidence, efficiency and value for money.

What the Group Focuses On

Social Housing Net Zero Standard

We support members in developing retrofit plans that meet Scotland’s proposed standards for Social Housing Net Zero Standard and wider policy priorities.

Fabric First Whole Estate Approach

We promote a fabric-first, whole-estate approach aligned with net-zero ambitions and fuel poverty priorities, helping to deliver higher-quality homes with significantly improved energy performance.

Data

We help improve the quality and consistency of housing data so organisations can make better evidence-based decisions

Design

We develop practical, repeatable design solutions that can be used across multiple homes and across organisations, saving time and reducing complexity

Cost Efficiency

We explore opportunities to work together when buying services and materials helping to reduce costs and get better value for everyone.

Programme

We support the creation of shared retrofit delivery plans to help organisations prioritise works and make better coordinated decisions

 

How We Support Delivery

We use a simple three-stage approach, to help organisations move from understanding their homes to delivering improvements.

1. Understand (Diagnose)

  • Collect and check housing data
  • Access homes to understand their current condition and energy performance
  • Group similar properties into architypes to plan upgrades more efficiently

2. Design & Plan

  • Develop Standard design solutions and technical approaches
  • Estimate Costs and identify funding options
  • Plan the order and timing of work across organisations housing portfolios

3. Deliver & Improve

  • Delivery through experienced supply chain partners
  • Monitor Quality and make sure standards are met
  • Learn from each project to improve future delivery

Benefits of Collaboration

  • Improved value for money by combining demand and sharing solutions
  • Greater confidence in delivery through stronger partnerships with the supply chain
  • Faster progress by using proven solutions and shared learning
  • Less duplication of work, programme risk and abortive cost across participating organisations
  • Stronger preparation for compliance, monitoring and performance reporting
  • Better outcomes for tenants, including warmer, more comfortable homes with lower energy bills.  By working together, organisations are better prepared to deliver the scale of improvements needed to decarbonise social housing across the West of Scotland.

Session Topics

  • Introduction to the Housing Retrofit Collaboration Group including its purpose, and how it works
  • Real experience of retrofitting homes, including delivery insights from West of Scotland Housing Association and updates on funding and policy from Energy Saving Trust