Matrix Housing Partnership – SHDF 2.1

South West, Southern/Central England and the West Midlands

Project Value: £26m

Introduction

This challenging and hugely successful scheme was delivered on behalf of Matrix Housing Partnership, a consortium of seven UK social housing providers operating across the South West, Southern/Central England and the West Midlands.

They made a collaborative bid for funding via Wave 2.1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), successfully securing £12m to support a decarbonisation scheme worth a total of £26m. It would encompass more than 900 homes, improve living conditions and reduce energy costs for around 2,000 people, and cut associated CO2 emissions.

Delivering multiple decarbonisation measures simultaneously to hundreds of properties across such a diversity of sites would naturally present challenges. Consequently, the consortium members sought a contractor with a proven record of planning and delivering multiple PAS-compliant schemes at scale.

In late summer 2023, they appointed SBS. The decision was based on our track record of delivering similar work for two of the consortium’s members: Trident Housing Association, and Trent & Dove Housing. Those had been funded under the SHDF Demonstrator.

Results

The Wave 2.1-funded project entailed installing multiple measures, all in accordance with the PAS 2035 and following a fabric-first approach. Primary measures included external wall insulation, new cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and replacement windows and doors. Additional works included the installation of new ventilation systems, air source heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels and low energy lighting. The aim was for every property to achieve an EPC rating of at least ‘C’.

The Project

By applying well-proven principles, including early multi-stakeholder engagement, sharing best practice and agreeing a shared supply chain, we made excellent progress. We set up two dedicated regional teams to manage four parallel workstreams, and despite the multiple locations, different measures and varying property archetypes, we completed the work quickly and effectively. The scheme was completed in November 2025.

Achieved at a time when many clients and contractors struggled to mobilise even single schemes, this multi-site project demonstrates that with proper planning and management, large and challenging programmes can be delivered successfully at scale.

In all areas, the specified measures were installed according to schedule, in accordance with PAS standards and relevant funding requirements. Reported results include total carbon (CO2) savings of around 1,429,000 kg/year, and total energy savings of 5,473,000 kWh/year.

Besides yielding valuable improvements to housing stock and enhancing living conditions for hundreds of residents, the scheme also proven the effectiveness of the consortium approach. It not only produced, considerable economies of scale; it enabled members to access funding more easily, launch projects more quickly, and save time and money on administration.

Social Value

Across every project, we strive to create lasting social value that extends beyond the retrofit outcomes themselves. In addition to delivering energy efficiency improvements, the programme enhanced living condition for hundreds of household while helping residents achieve appreciable saving on their energy bills.

The scheme generated important social and community benefits, including the creation and retention of  20 jobs within SBS and support for a further 54 roles across the wider supply chain. We also provided work experience opportunities and facilitated the achievement of new qualifications for 18 local people. We upskilled all site management teams to retrofit Level 2 Understanding Retrofit and RLO’s with Level 3 Retrofit Advice through the Retrofit Academy. Furthermore, we supported SME partners through their PAS certification process, helping to build local capacity and resilience while contributing £9.4 million to local economies through our supply chain investment.

At a community level, the project delivered a range of targeted improvements, including the refurbishment of local community centres through substructure repairs, installation of high-quality flooring, and the creation of modern kitchen facilities. We also donated life-saving defibrillators for community-use, alongside footballs and sports equipment for local teams and youth groups.

Additional social value contributions included free waste management community initiatives, vital donations to local foodbanks and the provision of Christmas hampers for residents.

The environmental benefits of the scheme were equally significant, delivering substantial carbon savings, improving energy efficiency, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, thereby supporting the transition to a more sustainable future.

Best Practice and Lesson Learned

Established effective communication and defining shared objectives from day 1 was crucial. We supported members in forming the consortium and provided assistance throughout project mobilisation.

The team shared all project data using a real time, cloud-based reporting platform. It enabled stakeholders to see progress on a property-by property basis, to identify any obstacles and to collaborate in addressing them. It made information about potential delays, quality metrics and health & safety issues readily visible. This transparency yielded greater cost-certainty, and a sense of mutual support.

The PAS standards informed the delivery plan structure. Working at scale in specific neighbourhoods made certain processes, such as retrofit assessments and material deliveries, fast and efficient.

All the measures installed underwent comprehensive reviews by site management. PAS-registered installers, the respective suppliers and retrofit coordinators. This rigorous multi-party quality process contributed to a ‘right-first-time’ culture and an excellent rate of completions/handovers.

Collaboration with specialist suppliers and PAS/MCS-accredited installers was vital. Property-by property inspections, coupled with robust support for manufacturers and designers, ensured speed and strict compliance with specifications, even on non-traditional/challenging properties.

Gary Lawson, Managing  Director at Sustainable Building Services, and: “The work that we delivered on behalf of Matrix Housing Partnership is a perfect example of retrofit collaboration at scale and why the consortium model will likely be favoured by social housing provided in the future. The feedback we have received from the consortium members and their tenants across various housing types has been tremendous.”

Matrix Housing Partnership

The consortium members include: GreenSquareAccord, Black Country Housing Group, Citizen Housing Group, Pioneer Housing and Community Group, Rooftop Housing Association, Trent & Dove Housing, and Trident Housing Association.