The housing association is reporting its third year of findings after being early adopters of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report in 2021. The report sets out the Group’s commitment to sustainability and highlights the progress it is making to improve customers’ homes and communities.
Environment
The Group is committed to ensuring its customers’ homes are high-quality and sustainable. In 2022/23, 99% of homes A2Dominion handed over had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A-C. Of those 15% achieved the top EPC A (most efficient) rating and this represents an increase from 8% in 2021/22, and 6% 2020/21.
The rising cost-of-living means it’s more important than ever to ensure customers’ homes are as energy efficient as possible. A2Dominion has taken steps to help reduce carbon emissions and energy bills by installing 867 band A gas boilers, 400 low energy lights, 300 double-glazed windows and 269 loft and cavity wall insulations.
The Group knows more needs to be done and is developing a decarbonisation strategy to further reduce energy costs for customers and help meets its commitments to ensure all homes are rated EPC C by 2030 and EPC A by 2050.
Social
Providing affordable homes and social housing is at the core of A2Dominion’s operations, with affordable homes accounting for 64% of the 745 new homes completed in 2022/23.
As a housing charity A2Dominion aims to deliver value for money for customers. In 2022/23 the average social housing rent for an A2Dominion customers was £129.92 per week – this is 42% of comparable private rent. The weekly rent also equates to 19% of local median wages – housing charity Shelter defines affordable housing as no more than 35% of household income after tax and benefits.
In 2022/23, A2Dominion also supported more than 2,000 customers to access £7mn in grants, benefits and funding to help them meet the increased cost of living. Working with Charis, A2Dominion provided £12,000 worth of emergency energy vouchers to nearly 300 households. The Group’s Neighbourhood Improvement Fund also awarded £140,000 in grant funding to support 15 local improvement projects, including upgrades to communal areas, bike sheds, bin sheds and play areas.
Governance
A2Dominion is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. The Group pays the Real Living Wage to employees, including contractors. The Group is continuing to deliver its Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy and action plan. Progressive steps have already been taken, including improving maternity pay to 100% for the first 13 weeks and a review of succession planning at executive
Ian Wardle, CEO of A2Dominion, said: “Our customers are our priority, and we’re working hard to lay the right foundations to become a high performer that consistently delivers for them. The achievements we’ve shared in this report are just a step in our wider sustainability journey. We will continue to reflect and improve on these achievements and our efforts to truly provide homes people love to live in.”
Highlights from A2Dominion’s ESG report 2022/23:
- 99% of new homes had an EPC rating of A-C
- 80% of A2Dominion homes are affordable rent or social housing
- 64% of new homes were affordable
- 100% of properties have an in-date and compliant Fire Risk Assessment
- 867 new band A gas boilers installed
- 400 low energy lights installed
- 300 double-glazed windows fitted
- Social rent is on average around 42% of comparable private rent
- 99.9% of social rent customers have secure tenancies
- £11.2mn generated in social value
- 99% of properties meet the government’s national housing quality standard
- 100% maternity pay for first 13 weeks
Read A2Dominion’s ESG Report 2023
