Homes for Heroes report, RIBA National Retrofit Strategy Proposal, UK Interwar Housing
Homes for Heroes report
11 February 2022
Update England?s 3.3m interwar homes and save families £480 per year, report urges
Holgate Road, Becontree, Barking & Dagenham, London borough of Barking and Dagenham, England, UK

photo © Zinc Media
Homes for Heroes report by RIBA – UK Interwar Housing
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published new research urging the Government to focus a new National Retrofit Strategy on updating 3.3m homes in England that were built between 1919 and 1939.
Becontree 1970:

photo © Tony Ray-Jones RIBA Collections RIBA15757
In 2021, 17% of households in interwar suburbs ? from Kingstanding to Becontree ? were in fuel poverty, proportionally higher than the overall national rate of 13%. Largely due to their poor insulation, solid wall construction, and high gas reliance, many interwar homes leave residents vulnerable to soaring energy prices. Only 10% of interwar homes achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) above Band C. If current Band D rated homes were retrofitted to achieve Band C performance, households would save £483 per year under the 2022 energy price cap. Blackpool 1960, Lancashire, north west England – view with Blackpool Tower in the centre, Adelaide Street on the left and Church Street on the right:

photo © Architectural Press Archive RIBA Collections RIBA47243
The carbon emissions released from...