Net zero is no longer a future challenge for social housing.

It's happening now.

Across the country, housing associations and local authorities are balancing rising energy costs, ageing housing stock, resident expectations and ambitious decarbonisation targets. The pressure to improve homes has never been greater.

But while net zero is often discussed through funding programmes, EPC ratings and carbon reduction targets, the reality is much more practical.

So, how do you improve thousands of existing homes in a way that genuinely benefits the people living in them?

That was the focus of our latest People in Housing Podcast episode with Harry Crane from Ridge and Partners LLP, winners of Best Approach to Net Zero at the People in Housing Awards.

The conversation explored the future of retrofit, the importance of resident engagement and why successful net zero programmes are about far more than installing new technology.

Why social housing sits at the heart of the net zero challenge.

One of the strongest points Harry made was the scale of the opportunity within social housing. The UK has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe. Many homes were built decades ago, long before energy efficiency was a consideration. While landlords have invested heavily in kitchens, bathrooms and planned maintenance over the years, improving thermal performance has often been a secondary priority.

That is changing rapidly.

Funding programmes such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Warm Homes initiatives have accelerated investment in retrofit, allowing landlords to focus on improving energy performance alongside traditional asset management priorities.

For residents, the benefits go beyond carbon reduction.

Better insulated homes can mean lower energy bills, improved comfort, better air quality and healthier living conditions. For many households facing continued cost of living pressures, those improvements can have a significant impact on daily life.

The challenge is delivering those improvements at scale.

Moving beyond individual projects.

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was Harry's view that retrofit should be approached as a programme rather than a collection of individual projects. As housing providers look at achieving net zero targets, there is a temptation to focus on isolated schemes or one-off funding opportunities.

The reality is that meaningful change requires a longer-term approach.

Rather than looking at individual properties in isolation, Ridge focuses on understanding entire estates, neighbourhoods and housing portfolios. This allows retrofit programmes to be delivered more efficiently, more consistently and with a greater understanding of how homes perform as a whole.

It also helps landlords avoid piecemeal investment decisions.

The goal is not simply to improve a single property. It’s to create long-term improvements across entire communities.

Why a whole-house retrofit approach matters.

The conversation also explored one of the most important debates within retrofit delivery. Should landlords install individual energy efficiency measures as opportunities arise, or should they take a whole-house approach?

For Harry, the answer is clear. Successful retrofit starts with the building itself.

Before introducing technologies such as air source heat pumps or solar panels, homes need to be easier to heat in the first place. That means improving insulation, reducing heat loss and ensuring ventilation systems are working effectively.

A fabric-first approach remains critical. Loft insulation, wall insulation, ventilation improvements and moisture management create the foundation for future low-carbon technologies. Without those basics in place, even the best technology can struggle to deliver the intended benefits.

As Harry explained during the podcast, there is little value in installing low-carbon heating systems in homes that continue to lose heat through poorly performing building fabric.

The growing connection between retrofit and damp and mould.

Few issues have dominated housing conversations in recent years more than damp and mould. As landlords continue to improve the energy performance of homes, understanding the relationship between retrofit and building health has become increasingly important.

Improving insulation changes the way a building performs, and done correctly, it can create warmer, healthier homes. However, done poorly, it can introduce new risks.

Harry highlighted the importance of robust design processes, moisture risk assessments and thermal bridge calculations to ensure retrofit improvements do not create unintended consequences.

Ventilation is a particularly important part of that conversation, as homes become more airtight, ensuring adequate airflow becomes essential to preventing condensation and maintaining healthy indoor environments.

The best retrofit programmes are not simply focused on reducing carbo, they are focused on improving overall building performance and resident wellbeing.

Why resident engagement remains the biggest factor in retrofit success.

Technology, funding and data matters. But throughout the conversation, one theme kept coming back.

The people.

Retrofit projects take place in residents' homes. They often involve disruption, multiple visits and significant changes to the way a property operates, and without resident trust and engagement, even technically strong projects can face challenges.

Harry spoke about the importance of collaboration between landlords, consultants and contractors before work even begins. Clear communication, realistic expectations and consistent messaging all play a major role in resident satisfaction.

Perhaps the most powerful point made during the discussion was that retrofit should never feel like something happening to residents.

It should feel like something happening FOR them.

That shift in mindset is often what separates successful programmes from unsuccessful ones.

Using data to prove impact.

As investment in retrofit continues to grow, so does the expectation to demonstrate results. Housing providers are increasingly being asked to evidence outcomes, justify funding and show how programmes are improving homes.

Harry explained how Ridge uses data throughout the retrofit process, from initial stock analysis through to post-completion evaluation.

EPC improvements remain an important indicator, with many homes improving significantly following retrofit works.

However, measuring success goes beyond EPC ratings alone.

Carbon reduction, indoor air quality, damp and mould prevention, resident satisfaction and long-term building performance all contribute to understanding the true impact of a retrofit programme.

The sector is moving towards a more holistic view of success, and that can only be a positive thing.

How technology could change retrofit delivery.

Looking ahead, Harry believes technology will play an increasingly important role in helping the sector deliver retrofit at scale. One area attracting significant attention is the use of digital twins.

By creating highly accurate digital models of properties, teams can collect detailed information during a single visit and use that data throughout the design and delivery process.

The benefits are obvious:

• Fewer visits
• More accurate information
• Less disruption for residents
• More efficient project delivery

As housing providers continue to scale up retrofit programmes, technology like this could become an important part of improving efficiency while maintaining quality.

The skills challenge facing the retrofit sector.

While technology offers opportunities, people remain the sector's greatest asset, and one of its biggest challenges.

The retrofit industry has grown rapidly over the last few years, creating demand for new skills and new career pathways. The challenge is that many young people still have little awareness of the opportunities available. Unlike traditional construction roles, retrofit is still a relatively new career option. Many people simply do not know it exists.

Harry spoke about the importance of education, outreach and apprenticeships in helping build the future workforce the sector will need. Because achieving net zero is not just about improving homes. It’s about developing the people capable of delivering those improvements.

What winning Best Approach to Net Zero says about the future of housing.

Ridge and Partners LLP's success at the People in Housing Awards reflects a wider shift taking place across the sector. Net zero is no longer being viewed as a standalone environmental objective.

It is increasingly connected to resident wellbeing, asset performance, building safety, damp and mould prevention and long-term sustainability. The organisations making the greatest progress are those bringing those conversations together, and recognising that successful retrofit is not simply measured through carbon savings.

It is measured through warmer homes, healthier residents and stronger communities.

If you'd like to listen to or watch the full episode of the People in Housing Podcast with Harry Crane from Ridge and Partners LLP, you can find it on our Spotify and YouTube channels.