We are delighted to announce a multi-million-pound improvement scheme, with more than 1,100 of our properties in Pennywell set to be modernised using a unique whole house approach.
The major housing improvement scheme will see tenants benefit from: new roofs to their homes and outbuildings, new front door canopies, double glazing, loft insulation, cladding or render on outbuildings, new front garden fences and decoration to the outside of properties.
The work will take place over a three-year period.
Following the work, tenants will see the energy efficiency of their homes improve, with their EPC rating increasing to C. This means properties will require less energy to heat or run.
It’s the first improvement scheme of its kind, that will see ‘a whole house approach’ with multiple elements of work completed at the same time to help minimise disruption for tenants and improve the appearance of the estate.
We have also identified more than 30 pieces of unused land which will be tidied and landscaped to improve the overall appearance of the estate.
Marc Edwards, Director of Asset and Sustainability at Gentoo Group, said:
“At Gentoo, we are committed to providing great homes and strong communities for our tenants.
“We believe everyone deserves to live in a good quality, secure home and I’m delighted to announce our first whole house approach investment scheme.
“The scheme will make properties more energy efficient and transform the appearance of the Pennywell estate.”
Councillor Kevin Johnston, Cabinet Member for Dynamic City at Sunderland City Council said:
"The announcement of Gentoo’s new whole-house improvement scheme is great news for tenants and for the city, as it is set to improves homes and make the Pennywell Estate a more attractive place to live.
“As a council we are committed to making Sunderland cleaner and greener, and making existing homes more energy efficient will both benefit residents and add to our ongoing carbon reduction activities.”
This year’s investment programme is part of the Group’s 2019-2024 Business Plan which will see more than £300 million invested into our existing homes and neighbourhoods over the five-year period.
The scheme is due to start in October 2022 and be complete in 2024.
