Housing provider Stonewater has welcomed new Government funding under the Warm Homes Plan, describing it as a major step forward for social housing and the drive towards net zero.
The £15 billion commitment is set to help housing providers scale up retrofit programmes, cut fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency for millions of residents across the UK.
For Stonewater, which manages around 40,000 homes nationwide, the funding provides an opportunity to build on retrofit work already underway in communities including Wiltshire and Swindon.
At the end of 2025, the organisation announced a £100m funding package to support large-scale retrofit projects across multiple regions. Previous decarbonisation schemes have already delivered clear benefits for residents, with some customers seeing energy bills cut significantly.
In one Wiltshire household, a couple reported spending around £400 less over the winter months following retrofit improvements to their home.
Jonathan Layzell, Chief Executive of Stonewater, said the funding brings long-term certainty at a critical time.
“This funding gives us the confidence to invest properly in our homes, our communities and our customers’ futures,” he said. “Retrofit isn’t just about carbon targets. It’s about comfort, affordability and opportunity, and we’re proud to be playing a leading role.”
Stonewater has been at the forefront of retrofit work in the social housing sector in recent years. It was among the first housing associations to co-fund major research into retrofit alongside the Institute for Public Policy Research, helping inform the foundations of the Warm Homes Plan.
Alongside incorporating low-carbon heating into new developments, the provider continues to invest in smart technologies within existing homes, including systems such as Wondrwall and air source heat pumps.
Its retrofit approach is built around detailed data and close engagement with communities. Individual action plans are developed for each property, allowing investment to be targeted where it will have the greatest impact.
Stonewater also works closely with local authorities and Combined Authorities to ensure retrofit programmes align with regional energy strategies and infrastructure capacity.
Jonathan Layzell added: “We’ve already laid the groundwork. This funding allows us to move faster and deliver at scale, working alongside government and communities to turn plans into action.
“It’s a real opportunity to create warmer homes, lower energy bills and a greener future.”
The organisation has also called for funding to be administered as efficiently as possible, drawing on its experience of previous schemes to support quicker delivery and better outcomes for residents.
