Our campaign ‘Insulate Lochend Fairly’ has brought council tenants, private tenants and homeowners together to fight for a just transition in housing.
Edinburgh Council’s Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme targets low-income, working class areas experiencing fuel poverty with the aim to improve energy efficiency and housing standards. This is, and should be, a welcome measure.
However, local planning, financing and decision making has felt undemocratic and obscure to residents.
As it stands, the project is causing extreme financial and emotional stress among those affected. We know that those bearing the sharp end of climate change should not have to foot the bill. Residents have faced bills of up to £43,000 after grant funding has been applied. But, Edinburgh Council has failed to address the root problem. The unfair funding and financing of the scheme will leave a patchwork of repaired and unrepaired homes around the area, entrenching a sense of inequality.
Our members have put together a report for the Just Transition Commission on their experience of the scheme. Using this as a jumping off point, residents will tell invited government ministers and city councillors how they have been affected and their proposed solution for future roll out.
