Date published: 21 January 2026
Stonewater has welcomed the Government’s plan for new funding under the Warm Homes Plan, describing it as a transformational moment for the UK’s social housing sector and its journey to net zero.
The £15 billion commitment will enable housing providers to scale up retrofit programmes, reduce fuel poverty, and deliver healthier, more energy-efficient homes for millions of residents.
For Stonewater, the funding represents a vital opportunity to build on the work already underway across its portfolio of 40,000 homes.
Previous decarbonisation projects have seen customers cut their energy bills in half, with one couple in Wiltshire spending £400 less over winter months than before their home was retrofitted.
Jonathan Layzell, Chief Executive of Stonewater, said: "This funding gives us the long-term certainty we need to invest in our homes, our communities and customers’ futures.
“Retrofit is not just about carbon, it’s about comfort, cost and opportunity, and we’re incredibly proud to be leading the way."
The leading affordable housing provider has been at the forefront of retrofit innovation over recent years. It was one of the first housing associations to co-fund major research into retrofit with IPPR, helping shape the very foundations of the Warm Homes Plan.
As well as embeding low-carbon heating into new development, Stonewater also continues to invest in smart technologies in existing homes, such as Wondrwall and Air Source Heat Pumps.
Stonewater’s approach to retrofit is rooted in data and community engagement. Grassroots-level action plans have been developed to assess the specific needs of each home, allowing for targeted investment and efficient delivery.
Stonewater continues to work closely with local authorities and Combined Authorities to ensure that retrofit programmes align with regional energy strategies and infrastructure capacity.
Jonathan added: "We’ve done the groundwork. Now we can deliver those plans at scale, working with government and communities to make retrofit real. This is a chance to create warmer homes, lower bills and a greener future for everyone."
Stonewater is also calling for streamlined administration of the funding, drawing on its experience with previous schemes to advocate for more efficient delivery models.
