What is the Lewisham Retrofit Programme?

What is the Lewisham Retrofit Programme?

Lewisham Council is working to upgrade homes across the borough. T he goal is to make them warmer, healthier, cheaper to run, and better for the planet.

Homes can receive insulation, better ventilation, new heating, and in some cases solar panels. The programme focuses first on council homes that are the coldest, dampest, or most expensive to heat, because those are the households who need help most.

How is the programme funded?

This work is jointly funded by Lewisham Council and the Department of Energy’s Warm Homes Programme, specifically the Social Housing Fund Wave 3. Over three years (2025-2029), more than £16 million of improvements will be made to Lewisham Council homes.

Above: Diagram sketch of some of the types of works a home might get during the retrofit process (Paul Robinson [green blue creative])

About half of all carbon emissions in Lewisham come from homes. Upgrading our housing is one of the most important things we can do together for our local area and for the planet. 

Go to the next page to learn more about which homes are included in the scheme:

Which homes are included?

The current programme covers up to 800 homes across Lewisham. Homes were chosen based on how energy-efficient they are, what condition they are in, and how much they could be improved. 

It includes all kinds of homes: street properties, flats, maisonettes, and harder-to-improve buildings like those in conservation areas. Most homes are council-owned, but some leaseholders in blocks where everyone shares a wall or roof may be included too.

The aim is to get every home to at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C.

Right: snapshot sketch of Lewisham street (Paul Robinson [green blue creative])