What the Warm homes Fund Means for Residents and Social Housing Providers

For social housing providers, the conversation around warm homes has shifted. This is no longer just about meeting retrofit targets or accessing pots of funding. It’s about resident wellbeing, long-term affordability, and building homes that genuinely work for the people living in them.

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) sits at the heart of that shift. It aims to improve the energy performance of social homes while cutting carbon emissions. As a result, it represents one of the most significant opportunities in decades to tackle cold, inefficient housing at scale. To unlock its full value, providers need to look beyond insulation measures and EPC ratings and think more holistically about residents’ day-to-day experience.

Why warm homes matter more than ever

Cold homes have long been an issue in the social housing sector. Rising energy costs and growing economic pressure have made the problem more urgent than ever. In England, millions of households still live in fuel poverty, with social renters disproportionately affected due to older housing stock and lower average incomes.

Poorly heated homes don’t just increase bills. They also link closely to respiratory illness, mental health challenges, and added pressure on health and care services. Research consistently shows that residents living in cold, damp homes face a higher risk of long-term health conditions. Children in these households are also more likely to miss school and fall behind academically.

This is where the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund can deliver impact beyond carbon reduction. Warmer, energy-efficient homes help lower energy costs, improve health outcomes, and create a more stable foundation for residents to thrive.

What the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is really trying to achieve

At its core, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund aims to improve the energy efficiency of social homes, particularly those below EPC band C. Typical measures include insulation, low-carbon heating, ventilation, and other fabric-first improvements, as outlined in the UK Government’s guidance for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.

But the ambition goes further than property upgrades alone. The fund supports the UK’s net zero goals and tackles long-standing inequalities in housing quality. For social landlords, it offers a chance to modernise stock, future-proof homes, and demonstrate real social value to residents and stakeholders.

The fund also recognises that retrofit works best when residents feel informed and supported. Without clear communication and guidance, technical improvements alone will not deliver their full benefits.

The resident experience gap

This is where many well-intentioned retrofit programmes fall short. For residents, energy upgrades can feel disruptive, confusing, or overwhelming. This is especially true for those who are vulnerable or digitally excluded.

A new heating system may lower bills in theory. Without clear guidance and ongoing support, however, residents may struggle to use it effectively. Improved insulation also only delivers savings when households feel confident managing their energy use and household services.

Warm homes are not created by infrastructure alone. They take shape when residents feel in control of their household costs, understand what support is available, and can manage the practical tasks that come with moving, settling in, or adapting to change.

Taking a more joined-up approach

The most successful SHDF programmes increasingly sit within a wider resident support strategy. Alongside physical upgrades, providers are investing in communication, education, and practical tools. These help residents feel supported before, during, and after retrofit works.

This might include clear, human communication about what’s happening and why. It could also involve digital tools that simplify household admin or partnerships with organisations that reduce friction during moments of change.

From a provider perspective, this joined-up approach can reduce complaints, improve engagement, and strengthen trust. When providers work with residents rather than acting on them, outcomes improve across the board.

Where this leaves social housing providers

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is a powerful lever for change. Its true value, however, lies in how providers deliver it. Those who treat it purely as a funding mechanism risk missing the bigger picture. Providers who use it to improve resident experience, wellbeing, and long-term resilience stand to gain far more.

Warm, energy-efficient homes provide the foundation. Confidence, stability, and ease of living define what success looks like on top of that foundation.

At Helpthemove, we work alongside social housing providers to remove friction from the resident journey. We help households manage essential services simply and confidently. As retrofit and decarbonisation programmes scale, combining physical improvements with practical resident support will be key to delivering lasting impact.

If you’re thinking about how your SHDF projects can deliver better outcomes for residents and assets alike, we’d love to be part of that conversation.