Clydebank Housing Association cuts fuel poverty thanks to £1.2m funding

The housing association provides affordable housing to residents in West Dunbartonshire. By connecting its Dumbarton Road properties to the Queens Quay’s District Heating Network, the network generates clean, sustainable heating directly from the River Clyde through advanced water source heat pump technology.

To help fund the £1.2 million network connection, Clydebank HA secured £605,000 through a CAF Bank Green Loan, which help finance environmentally sustainable projects whilst providing enhanced funding terms. The loan is in addition to funds from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund.

As well as providing residents with access to a sustainable heating source, the connection is also helping to tackle fuel poverty and improve the lives of residents. Research carried out by Clydebank Housing Association as part of their funding applications found that an average monthly heating bill for one of Clydebank’s 45 Dumbarton Road residencies dropped from approximately £300 to just £31.25 after connecting to the network.

Clydebank Housing Association was established in 1984 to improve housing and regenerate the local area and owns and manages over 1,200 residential units. They also offer social outreach, community support, and health and wellbeing initiatives. 

Clydebank Housing Association’s customer & corporate services manager, Sinéad Farrell, said: “With the support of the Green Loan, we have given these tenants the ability to control their usage and lower bills and helped the Association meet property quality standards and keep this stock desirable. We have a huge focus on tenancy sustainment, and this is the perfect example of partners working together to make a meaningful difference to tenants being able to live comfortably in their home.”

CAF Bank’s relationship director for Scotland, Fraser McKay, added: “CAF Bank has a long history supporting Clydebank Housing Association and their provision of affordable housing to the local community.

“The opportunity to fund 45 homes to be added to the District Heating System was an ideal fit for the CAF Bank Green Loan. Clydebank’s involvement with the District Heating Network has allowed them the opportunity to lift some tenants out of potential fuel poverty and allowed them to provide additional support to their tenants.”

Commenting on CAF Bank’s commitment to sustainability and support for clean energy projects, CAF Bank’s head of sustainability, Johnny Moon, commented: “CAF Bank is committed to supporting the sustainability goals of our customers, helping them to bank with purpose, and make those sustainability goals a reality.

“Clydebank Housing Association’s connection to the Queens Quay’s District Heating Network is an inspiring example of the innovative technologies charities are utilising to cut their carbon emissions, and I look forward to following their progress and the benefits it will bring to residents in the years to come.”