We’re investing in our specialist homes
Our care and support services and almshouses are unique buildings. Older or listed buildings can be less energy efficient and need careful improvement.
Alongside our contractor, Sustainable Building Solutions, we’ve delivered targeted upgrades to reduce energy use, improve comfort and support customers now and in the future.
We invested £391,000 to improve six of our care and support services. This builds on £4.3 million in government funding we secured to improve some of our least energy-efficient homes.
William Crane almshouses
At our William Crane almshouses, in Nottingham, we upgraded three bungalows in just two weeks, balancing modern upgrades with preserving the character of these historic homes.
Having reviewed each building, works included new loft insulation, solar panels, and better ventilation for preventing damp and mould.
Customers who pay their own bills are already seeing lower electricity costs.
Jacqui Rose, Community Coordinator, said: “It’s great to know customers can feel warmer and more comfortable while using less energy.”
Blyth Street
We improved all 10 flats at Blyth Street, in Mapperley, to support adults with mental health needs. The £195,000 project included new windows, loft and external wall insulation, plus improved ventilation.
Sheila Evans, Operations Manager for Retrofit, said: “The contractor worked brilliantly with service users and the Blyth Street team. These improvements will keep homes warmer for longer for years to come.”
Little Barn Lane
Little Barn Lane care home, in Mansfield, was also identified as a priority. Alongside £10,000 from the government grant pot, NCHA self-funded most of this £110,000 investment.
Over three months (completed in February 2026), we installed external wall and flat roof insulation. Our teams went above and beyond to navigate the building’s complex shape and bring its rating up from EPC D to C.
James Taylor, Assistant Manager at Little Barn Lane, said: “The upgrades have greatly improved the building’s appearance, and they’ll provide real benefits to the service users we support through reduced utility costs.”
Westville have also installed solar panels at 8-12 Midworth Street, which supports adults with a mental health diagnosis in Ashfield and Mansfield, and external wall insulation at Broxtowe Drive, which is part of the same service.
What’s next
We want homes to be as energy efficient as possible. This will improve comfort, cut costs and support our environmental goals.
By March 2028, we’ll upgrade 250 homes through our retrofit programme to ensure all NCHA homes are EPC C or higher. This will include roofing renovation works on Mary Hardstaff Homes almshouses, in Mansfield.
We’re proud to future-proof our homes so customers can live comfortably for years to come.
