Retrofitting social housing is the real challenge we can’t ignore

For decades, Britain’s approach to housing has been skewed towards new development, while millions of existing homes – many occupied by the most vulnerable – have been left to deteriorate. The consequences are playing out in rising fuel poverty, poor living conditions, and a failure to meet net-zero commitments. With the built environment responsible for around 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, retrofitting must be treated as a national priority, not an afterthought.

The government’s latest £1.3bn funding for social housing retrofits is a step in the right direction. Investment in decarbonising our housing stock is essential – not just for tackling fuel poverty and cutting emissions, but for supporting skills, jobs, and the long-term sustainability of our built environment. Yet, while this funding is welcome, it is only a fraction of what is needed, and there remains a risk that piecemeal, reactive spending limits its impact.

There are nearly five million social homes in the UK, with more than half still failing to meet basic energy performance standards. Too many tenants remain trapped in cold, inefficient homes, with no clear national strategy to bring them up to standard at scale.

While new build targets grab the headlines, the reality is that we are not doing enough to protect and improve the homes we already have. Retrofitting must be treated with the same urgency and ambition as new development, with clear national targets and long-term funding commitments.

The potential benefits go far beyond reducing heating bills and meeting net-zero goals. Retrofit projects can be delivered faster than new builds, with minimal disruption to communities.

If retrofit is to become a national priority, architects must lead the way

They provide a boost to local economies, create training and employment opportunities, and – when done well – enhance the quality of life for residents. Instead of the costly and carbon-intensive cycle of demolition and rebuilding, retrofit offers a more sustainable approach that preserves social cohesion while upgrading homes to modern standards.

To maximise the impact of schemes like Warm Homes, we need a more coordinated approach. Too often, retrofit funding is spent on isolated, ad-hoc upgrades, rather than feeding into a broader, strategic vision for housing estates.

For some time, we have been advocating for every estate to have a ‘mini-masterplan’ – a future vision that ensures funding can be invested in ways that add up to something bigger. Ideally, these would be co-produced with residents, considering not just thermal efficiency but also wider public realm improvements and potential future development.

A retrofit revolution will not happen by accident – it requires a shift in priorities, policy, and practice. Funding is only part of the solution; we also need the skills, expertise, and vision to deliver meaningful, long-term change. This is where architects must step up, not just as designers but as advocates for a more sustainable and equitable built environment.

If retrofit is to become a national priority, architects must lead the way – but this will require a fundamental shift in mindset, skills, and education. Schools of architecture must prepare students for a built environment revolution, equipping them with the expertise to work with existing buildings rather than defaulting to demolition and new construction.

The UK has the opportunity to turn its retrofit challenge into an engine for growth

The profession’s fixation not just with new build, but with the high-status, headline-grabbing end of architecture, must be challenged. Working on social housing retrofits may not come with glossy press coverage or star-status commissions, but the professional rewards – and the opportunity to rediscover architecture’s social mission – are immense.

Retrofitting is a design challenge of the highest order, requiring creativity, technical skill, and deep engagement with communities. If architects seize this moment, they can shape a more sustainable, equitable future – one where the built environment serves people, rather than the other way around.

Some practices are already repositioning themselves to meet this challenge. Ksquared, founded by architect Kasang Kajang, has positioned itself as a specialist in delivering social housing retrofits, acting as a single point of contact for landlords navigating the complexities of decarbonisation.

The practice provides end-to-end support – from bid writing to design and delivery – and is committed to ensuring sustainable housing is not a privilege, but an accessible standard for all. Ksquared exemplifies how architects can play a leading role in addressing the retrofit crisis.

The UK has the opportunity to turn its retrofit challenge into an engine for growth. Done right, this could drive innovation, support new skills, create thousands of jobs, and help stabilise the construction industry at a time of uncertainty. The benefits are clear – but only if we seize the opportunity with ambition and vision. The government’s latest funding is a start, but now is the time to scale up, plan ahead, and commit to a long-term, strategic approach that truly transforms our existing housing stock.

>> Also read: Government reveals recipients of £1.3bn social housing retrofit funding