Eco Neighbourhood project

Innovative environmental sustainability projects are now a priority for Family Housing and Summerfield in North West Birmingham has seen a number of improvements over the last few years, following our £11m regeneration programme undertaken with Birmingham City Council. Now private home owners are starting to benefit from a £2.3m eco neighbourhood project, the largest renewable energy project of its kind in the UK.

The idea for the eco project evolved after local residents raised concerns to Family Housing on energy efficiency and the negative impact of rising fuel bills. Family then identified opportunities for accessing new renewable technologies and decided to convert one of their properties into their very first Eco Home, to promote and demonstrate to local residents the energy saving systems available. 

Following the success of the eco house, it was decided to make Summerfield into an ‘Eco Neighbourhood’, the first in Birmingham. Bewteen February 2007 and April 2008, Family Housing, with Birmingham City Council, have installed 329 homes with solar panels. This will significantly reduce fuel bills by up to £150 per year and it is estimated that the sytems will deliver 60% of each households hot water oer annum. 

These installations were fitted completely free of charge for owner occupiers in the area, depending on certain eligibility criteria, with the aim of reducing fuel poverty.

Family's first Eco Home

Working with Birmingham City Council and Urban Living, the Birmingham/Sandwell Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, Family Housing added £30,000 of its own funding to install a number of new technologies to a Victorian semi which was being de-converted from a house in multiple occupation into a large family home. The eco house was officially opened in June 2006 by and is currently occupied by Family Housing tenants.

Involvement of local schools

The eco house also opened up the opportunity for Family to work with primary school children on promoting energy efficiency and by working with the city council’s housing education initiative, Family has invested £20k helping over 500 young people from the local schools develop an Eco website, Eco radio station and energy advice DVD. Please link to www.eco-radio.co.uk for the latest eco news and podcasts.

Green make-over for community church

As part of this eco neighbourhood project, the church hall situated in the centre of Summerfield, also received a £15,000 make-over. As Family has been using the hall as an office base for the project, a number of environmentally friendly improvements have been made, including solar panels, sun pipes and insulation from recycled cotton and sheep wool. Family has now created their own eco team who will continue to be temporarily based at the church hall until the work has been completed.

Also, with our partners, Pertemps People Development Group, the Eco project has  created employment opportunities and provided careers for Women in construction. 5 trainees have gained placements with the contractors and are being given the opportunity to become fully qualified to install the solar panels.

For any further details on our eco projects please contact us on 0121 766 1100.