We did! - Broadland Housing Association

doortodoorYou said We DidBelow are details of the views you expressed at this year’s Tenants’ Conference and the action we aretaking as a result. The feedback focuses on the three main areas of: Planned Repairs and EnergySaving, Housing Management and Meridian East.Feedback about Planned Repairs and Energy SavingYou Said: Can we reviewheating systems and windowsin the cyclical maintenanceprogramme?You Said: Can we invest in loftand wall insulation?We Did: We are currently reviewing the type of heating systems we use whencarrying out replacement installations. We have been investigating greenerapproaches to heating, including both air and ground source heat pumps, wherethis is suitable.We are concentrating on properties that have a low energy performance ratingand in those homes we are assessing how to make improvements. Windows willbe part of this assessment, including the provision of secondary glazing to singleglazed windows.We Did: Properties with electric heating systems need 200 mm of loft insulationand ideally also need their cavity walls filled. We are currently carrying outsurveys to ensure that we are achieving this on all applicable homes. We haveso far completed this programme of work to 71 properties and are prioritisingthese improvements when setting maintenance budgets.You Said: When bathroomreplacements are carried out,can showers rather than bathsbe provided and can extractorfans also be provided?We Did: We plan to provide showers overbaths within properties that are built from2010 onwards. We are currently assessingthe costs of providing extractor fans and thisinformation will be fed into the 2010/11budget debate.You Said: Can investment bemade in water butts andgarden waste bins?We Did: We retain a budget for community led environmental improvementschemes. We encourage bids for this money from tenants and, subject tohaving the funds available, we normally support projects such as compost bins,water butts, raised planting beds and anything with anenvironmental theme. We will investigate whether wecan secure any grant funding from other organisationsfor compost bins and water butts, but at present wehave not found any.You Said: Can we promotewhat people can dothemselves to save energy andimprove their environment?We Did: We will continue to promote anything that people can get involved inthemselves in our ‘Door to Door’ magazine, forexample: Energy saving tips, how to apply forthe Environmental Improvement Budget andevents such as the gardening competition andlitter picking. You can also visit the ‘Your GreenSpace’ page of our website to find out more.Page 16 • www.broadlandhousing.org