Grant Funding Availability Report. For. 47 Addington Road & 12 Palmer Park Avenue. Prepared on Behalf of. Catalyst Housing Group. Our Ref: 1011/100288

Transcription

1 Grant Funding Availability Report For 47 Addington Road & 12 Palmer Park Avenue Prepared on Behalf of Catalyst Housing Group Our Ref: 1011/ August 2011 Rev B ig 9 LLP 31 Riverside Building Trinity Buoy Wharf 64 Orchard Place London E14 OJY t f w. e. info@ig9.co.uk

2 Contents Page 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Purpose of Report 3.0 Items Identified for Funding and Funding Sources Identified 4.0 Review of Funding Bodies / Grant Availability and Specific Criteria 5.0 Grant Funding Search Engines 6.0 Summary Prepared August 2011 Page 2 of 10

3 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This is an interim report prepared for Catalyst Housing Group leadership team to provide an update on the availability of grant funding for green projects and specifications. The focus of the research has been based upon identifying potential funding streams available for the pilot Eco-homes scheme currently being undertaken at 47 Addington Road and 12 Palmer Park in Reading. Further research findings and conclusive outcomes follow. 2.0 Purpose of Report 2.1 This report was deemed to be integral to the pilot Eco-home schemes currently being undertaken as it presents the opportunity to confirm the availability of various funding streams and realistically how obtainable they are to a Housing Association. The purpose of this report is to address the different funding providers, the availability of them and how easy it is to procure them, outline any problems with accessing grants and identify any potential impact on future funding. Lessons learnt from the above can be used by Catalyst Housing Group to seek political support for amending grant criteria to make funding more accessible to Housing Associations. Prepared August 2011 Page 3 of 10

4 3.0 Items identified for Funding and Grant Funding Sources Identified 3.1 The following list provides a summary of works extracted from the pilot scheme specifications which were identified as elements of work that could potentially attract grant funding. Insulation to walls, floors, ceilings (including internal and external wall insulation) Photovoltaic s Solar Thermal Heating Window Upgrades Green Roof System Grey Water System Boiler upgrades 4.0 Review of Funding Bodies / Grant Availability and Specific Criteria 4.1 The following matrix outlines the various grants and funding options available and whether they are obtainable. It shows the name of the provider, the source of the fund, description, criteria, availability and the website where further details can be located. Grant Building Performanc e Evaluation Energy grant 500 Retrofit for the future Funding Body Description Eligibility Available to CHA Website Link Technology Strategy Board South East England Developmen t Agency (SEEDA) Technology Strategy Board Funding for the total evaluation of domestic or non domestic buildings being built or recently finished. Buildings to be monitored for 2 year period to provide performance information. Funding available to businesses that spend between ,000 pa on energy. 500 grant to spend on energy saving improvements TSB funding initiative to Retrofit UK social housing stock in order to meet future targets in reduction of CO2 emissions and energy use. Competition based grant allocation. This competition is open to all companies, including social landlords and those companies not currently engaged in the construction sector. Only available for new build domestic properties and some non domestic refurbs. Not available for domestic use, businesses only. Competition is open to all companies, including social landlords and those companies. Competition deadline June 2009 Not available for pilot schemes as only available for domestic new build properties. Potentially could be accessed for other CHA new build properties. Not available for use on domestic properties. No competition deadline June euk.org/content/co mpetition/buildingperformanceevaluation-.ashx astiep.gov.uk/cate gories/sussex/new s/500-energygrants-availableto-smallbusinesses-6 euk.org/competitio ns/retrofit-for-thefuture.ashx Prepared August 2011 Page 4 of 10

5 Enhanced Capital Allowances Government tax relief ECA provides 100% tax relief on any investment in energy-saving equipment, in the same tax year as the purchase is made. This means a business paying corporation tax at 28% will receive 28p tax relief for every 1 invested in energysaving products. To get full tax relief products must be on the Energy Technology Product List (ETPL) Is only applicable to 'plant/machinery'. Cost of transporting equipment, installation and professional fees can also be claimed against. Solar thermal systems, boilers, lighting and pipework insulation could be claimed against on the project. Yes on certain listed products for plant and machinery. v.uk/etl/default.ht m Low Carbon Buildings Programme Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Grants of up to 2500 towards installation of low carbon energy microgeneration technology. Funding granted to homeowner for up to 3 properties. Each property allowed up to 3 separate installations. No, funding stopped on 24 May 2010 due to government cuts. Applications no longer accepted bonbuildings.org.u k/ CROSS funding partnership CERT carbon emissions reduction target CSEP CERT Funding Energy Suppliers through government commitment Big Lottery Fund CROSS funding partnership auction based system that can be used by LA's and RSL's to access CERT funding for energy saving measures. Suitable for getting funding towards insulating loft space and cavity walls. Grants available towards cavity wall/loft insulation, lighting, heating and Innovative measures including microgeneration, biomass community heating etc Community Sustainable Energy Programme provides 8 million to community-based organisations for the installation of micro generation technologies, such as solar panels or biomass boilers and energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. Available to all RSL's and LA's for funding to make improvements to housing stock. CERT obligated suppliers can work with Social Housing Providers to deliver energy efficiency measures to households within the social housing sector. Suppliers to contact are British Gas,EDF Energy, N Power and Powergen Must be installing micro generation technology to receive any funding Not suitable for pilot schemes as CERT funding is already being applied for. Suitable on other CHA housing stock for insulation improvements. Yes, application made for pilot schemes. To obtain for existing housing stock Cross Funding Partnership could be utilized. No, Housing Associations not eligible. g.org.uk/default.as px?tabid=997#ce RT funding nitysustainable.or g.uk/index.jsp Prepared August 2011 Page 5 of 10

6 Green Grant EDF Green Energy Fund E-ON Sustainable energy fund Reading Council EDF E-ON Grants available to organisations to help them with climate change projects that support Reading Borough Council's Climate Change Strategy in reducing community emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change. Small grants of up to 250 awarded. The Green Fund helps to support renewable energy projects for nonprofit organisations across the UK. A fund which offers financial opportunities to community groups and not for profit organisations that wish to pursue and implement sustainable energy measures. Must be non profit organisation in borough of Reading or providing a service that benefits residents of the borough of Reading. Primarily given to community projects, charities and schools Organisation must benefit specific groups such as education, vulnerable people and people in fuel poverty. Will only provide for community buildings, residential buildings not supported. Yes, Application deadline 8 November 2010 Would have been eligible, application deadline 31st August 2010 Not available for Pilot schemes or residential properties. g.gov.uk/communi tyandliving/comm unitydevelopment services/general. asp?id=sx9452- A7823F16 rgy.com/productsservices/for-yourhome/ourservices/greenenergyfund.shtml# 9.aspx LIFE + European Union Provides funding for projects specifically relating to conservation of energy. According to Article 6 of the LIFE+ Regulation, at least 78 percent of the LIFE+ budgetary resources must be used for project action grants (i.e. LIFE+ projects). During the period , the European Commission will launch one call for LIFE+ project proposals per year. Proposals must be eligible under one of the programme s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance, and LIFE+ Information and Communication Would not satisfy minimum requirements as follows: Specific objectives 1. LIFE+ shall consist of three components: - LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, - LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance, - LIFE+ Information and Communication. u/environment/life/ index.htm Prepared August 2011 Page 6 of 10

7 Biffaward Biffa Award grants to projects that provide or improve community spaces, cultural facilities and places for outdoor recreation. There will be a minimum of 104 days of full public access to the project per year Not available for pilot schemes or residential housing as there must be a minimum of 104 days of full public access a year. rd.org/about/cover view Ashden Trust Scottish Power Green Energy Trust Sainsbury s Family Trust Scottish Power The Ashden Trust is one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. Current focus is on household energy efficiency and halting global deforestation. Funding support towards renewable energy micro generation technology. There is a maximum award of 25,000 but most projects receive around 10,000. Supports registered charities and notfor-profit organisations. Trust focussing on projects supporting climate change, sustainable development and improving the quality of life in poorer communities. Projects need to have a really strong community benefit and wider educational element. The Trust considers all kinds of renewable technologies, including small scale hydro, wind power and biomass. Yes to submit application for Pilot schemes. Takes 6-8 weeks to confirm whether any funding will be granted. Not suitable for pilot schemes as application must be made by August 2010 or March Could be suitable on future CHA one off projects. trust.org.uk/howto apply.html hpowergreentrust. co.uk/content/defa ult.asp?page=s4 Wates Foundation Wates Foundation To promote understanding of the needs of the built and rural environments to encourage conservation of resources, reduction of waste and dissemination of practical models of environmental sustainability. If income is over 700,000 a year then will not support. Do not support capital costs Not suitable as income is over 700, oundation.org.uk/ grants/sustainingthe-environment/ Prepared August 2011 Page 7 of 10

8 Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) The Technology Strategy Board Sustain The Technology Strategy Board The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) has been created as part of the government's Home Energy Saving Programme. It requires gas and electricity suppliers and electricity generators to deliver energy saving measures to domestic consumers in specific low income areas of Great Britain. CESP has been designed to promote a 'whole house' approach and to treat as many properties as possible in defined areas. Building Performance Evaluation - The Technology Strategy Board has committed up to 8m to fund the costs of building performance evaluation studies on domestic and non-domestic buildings. Based on requirements of "The Electricity and Gas (community Energy Saving Programme) Order 2009" certain improvements provide better Studies on domestic buildings will cover either the period immediately post construction and into early occupation (Phase 1 studies), or a period of two years in-use for buildings less than 2 years old (Phase 2 studies). Detailed information about the stock is required to determine which funding is available. Advised that energy efficient measures and microgeneration could be available. Not applicable in this instance due to the age of the properties. euk.org/content/co mpetition/buildingperformanceevaluation-.ashx 5.0 Grant Funding Search Engines 5.1 The following list is a summary of the search engines utilised to assist in the search for available funding streams. These links were used in conjunction with knowledge of funding previously made available on other projects. Name Description Access Suitable Website Link GRANTnet GRANTfinder Grant finding tool Grant finding tool Search engine that helps small businesses and community groups find funding. Includes grant funds in the UK and Europe. Search engine for local government, universities, housing association and businesses to find funding. Register to get use search database Annual subscription 4000 Yes, can be used free of charge, potentially lead to gaining grants/funding. Expensive annual subscription. Could be looked into by CHA to decide whether is worthwhile. et.com/ nder.co.uk/ Prepared August 2011 Page 8 of 10

9 6.0 Summary 6.1 It can be seen from the matrix of available funding streams that the availability of funding is very limited and the majority is inaccessible for a Housing Association. Several factors have been identified as key reasons for this. 6.2 The timing of the project was unfortunate, the Technology Strategy Board launched the retrofit for the future scheme on April 2009 with applications closing on 24th June As part of this scheme, approximately 80 projects were granted up to 100% funding for the retrofit refurbishment of social housing to meet future targets in reduction of CO2 emissions and energy use. This source of funding would have been ideal for the needs of CHG and the proposed pilot schemes fit the criteria of the eligibility requirements. As a substantial amount of funding has been awarded to similar projects recently there are subsequently less grants available and arguably less demand for them. 6.3 The pilot scheme commenced not long after the change in government and subsequent emergency budget cuts. This can be cited as a possible reason for there being limited funding available. For example the low carbon buildings programme where grants were previously available for low carbon energy micro generation technology was stopped as a result of cuts in government funding. 6.4 Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) funding essentially comes from energy suppliers who have a government commitment to contribute to reducing household carbon emissions. Housing Associations are eligible to apply for funding to contribute towards energy efficiency measures and low carbon micro generation technologies. This source of funding appears to be the most accessible and realistically obtainable for the pilot schemes. The CERT funding is also currently being utilised by Catalyst for their loft insulation and cavity wall insulation programme. 6.5 There are non government funds and charitable funds that have been identified, however in most cases CHA would not be eligible. Projects which receive grants are required to be exceptional cases that provide community and public benefit. These types of funds are generally targeted at deprived communities and schools. Non government charities and grants that exist are the Scottish Power Energy Trust, the Biffa Award and Wates Foundation. 6.6 The Ashden trust fund is available and potentially could award a degree of funding towards the project. There is limited information on how the funds are awarded, the amount that is awarded and they do not offer feedback on applications. No application form available for this source of funding and applications are only accepted in posted letter format. The lack of information available for basing an application can be considered a hindrance to securing funding, to compound this it is not possible to speak to anyone involved with awarding the fund as the fund contributors meet on such an infrequent basis. 6.7 The Green Grant available from Reading Council is available for climate change projects within the Borough of Reading for projects that support the council s climate change strategy in reducing emissions. Though the project is eligible for this funding the maximum grant available would be 250. Despite this only being a small grant they still require extensive information and financial documentation to support an application. Prepared August 2011 Page 9 of 10

10 6.8 From the research into grants available it is clear that at this moment in time there is very limited funding available for CHG. The CERT funding appears to be the most promising strand of funding available for the pilot schemes. CERT funding, though accessed through the Cross Funding Partnership looks to be the most accessible source of funding for improvement works across for CHG housing stock. The total amount of funding gained from CERT funding for the project was 1, across the two properties. Prepared August 2011 Page 10 of 10