Housing Changes Lives: New energy efficient Passivhaus home
SFHA's Housing Changes Lives campaign is highlighting why it’s vital that all political parties commit to investing in the social housing sector because of the impact that housing associations and co-operatives' homes and services have on tenants' lives.
Gemma and Steven Harvey, Eildon Housing Association
Gemma and Steven Harvey and their family are one of the first families to move into Eildon’s ground-breaking new Passivhaus homes in St Boswells.
Gemma Harvey said: “Moving to St Boswells, from Gorebridge, has been a great move for me and my family. We moved in on 18 March and literally returned the removal van on 22 March so were very lucky to move in right before the lockdown started.
“Since moving, I have now managed to get a new job locally and my children are settling well into their new school and nursery. The house is great – really economical and very easy to heat as it is so well insulated. Our electricity bill is about £45 a month.
“Moving in at lockdown has had its advantages in that it has let us get to know our new neighbours well by talking over the fence. We are really happy in our Passivhaus home in the Scottish Borders.”
Built to Passivhaus standard, the homes generally need 90% less energy for heating and hot water than standard buildings and have very low running costs.
As part of its Scottish Parliament election manifesto, SFHA is calling on all political parties to commit to delivering 53,000 affordable homes, including 37,100 for social rent, between 2021 and 2026 and to increasing fuel poverty and energy efficiency funding to £244 million for 2021/22.