Plan for Change: Transforming Housing and Public Sector Assets.
The Government’s Plan for Change funding represents one of the most significant opportunities in recent years to accelerate housing decarbonisation, improve energy efficiency, and deliver large-scale retrofit projects. For local authorities, housing associations, and public sector partners across the North East, North West, and Yorkshire & Humber, this is a pivotal moment to address ageing housing stock, reduce carbon emissions, and support residents facing rising energy costs.
The funding, which includes both direct grant allocations and competitive bidding pots, is designed to support the transition to net zero by enabling large-scale upgrades to homes and public buildings. In the North, where a high proportion of homes and public buildings are pre-1980s builds with poor insulation and inefficient heating systems, the need is acute. Fuel poverty remains a pressing issue across the region, with many households struggling to heat their homes affordably.
Retrofit programmes under Plan for Change can deliver a range of interventions: fabric-first measures such as cavity wall, loft, and external wall insulation; installation of low-carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps; and renewable energy solutions including solar PV. These projects not only cut emissions but also create warmer, healthier homes, lowering the risk of damp and cold-related illness while reducing long-term maintenance costs for landlords.
It’s not just housing that stands to benefit. Schools and other public buildings across the North are often energy-inefficient, with outdated heating systems and poor insulation driving up running costs. Plan for Change funding enables local authorities to upgrade these vital facilities with improved insulation, efficient lighting, and renewable energy solutions – creating better learning environments for children and reducing operational costs for councils.
The challenge for many public sector organisations is delivering retrofit quickly, at scale, and in compliance with funding requirements. Collaboration and procurement efficiency are crucial – and this is where NPA’s Decarbonisation and Retrofit Framework and its accompanying Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) offers real value. By using pre-approved, compliant routes to market, housing providers and other public sector asset owners and managers can quickly engage experienced contractors with proven expertise, reducing project lead times and ensuring value for money.
Importantly, the framework is structured to enable social value outcomes, from local job creation and skills development to community benefit initiatives – amplifying the impact of public funding in the regions that need it most.
With Government targets for net zero by 2050 and interim milestones fast approaching, there is no time to lose. Public sector organisations across the North have a unique opportunity to leverage Plan for Change funding to future-proof their housing stock and improve residents’ lives.
Take action today: Learn how NPA’s Decarbonisation and Retrofit Framework can help you deliver compliant, cost-effective, and impactful programmes.
