Sustainable Housing Partnership
SHOPAR is a well established regional network for housing professionals, with members from 15 housing associations and 18 local authorities based in the West Midlands. SHOPAR is recognised by the West Midlands Regional Assembly, Advantage West Midlands and Sustainability West Midlands as a key regional partnership group and direct links are provided into the regional Low Carbon Housing Programme and regional climate change activities.
Through regular meetings, commissioning of projects and involvement in regional activities, SHOPAR aims to provide examples of housing best practice to help members provide low carbon, affordable and sustainable homes to residents and tenants in the social and private sectors.
Managed by Hestia, the following areas are seen as crucial to the success of the group:
- Exploration and development of best practice
- Development of joint funding bids
- Continuing to provide support to LA members on specific needs and issues related to HECA
- Engaging with the Regional Energy Strategy development process
- Encouraging membership and support from regionally based organisations including the Housing Corporation, Government Office of the West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands, Regional Assembly and the Local Government Association.
SHOPAR has assumed a broader remit than the original obligations under HECA. In addition to energy efficiency and fuel poverty, SHOPAR seeks to address sustainability issues such as building materials, recycling of water and waste materials, links between transport and housing and, of course, renewable energy sources.
Of specific interest and relevance to members working in social housing will be the coverage of the requirements of Agenda 21 and wider community-related topics.
SHOPAR meets three times a year, with an annual joint conference also envisaged.
For more details please contact Deborah Gabbay
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