In March 2025, a landmark £1.79 billion funding package to support domestic retrofit across England was announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Warm Homes programme aims to make millions of social housing and low income homes cleaner to heat, warmer and cheaper to run.

Whilst Warm Homes funding offers the housing sector an huge opportunity to deliver retrofit at an unprecedented level (and to realise all the benefits that this brings with it), this scale of retrofit delivery is not without its challenges.

The challenges and opportunities of retrofitting at scale

While each housing provider faces their own unique circumstances when it comes to planning and delivering retrofit, there are a number of common areas that can present real challenges.

Procurement is one such area. Far from being a barrier, building a strong retrofit supply chain, and working with them on project development and delivery can be a powerful enabler when approached strategically. However, the introduction of the new Procurement Act has created uncertainty for many accustomed to working under the previous regulations.

The shortage of accredited suppliers and installers, especially in some parts of the country, also presents a challenge for many housing providers, and can sometimes mean that delivery is delayed or compromised. Investment through Warm Homes means that there will be an ever growing demand for Trustmark accredited retrofit suppliers, and that offers a huge opportunity to hundreds of businesses to take advantage of that demand and grow. But knowing how to meet the needs of these projects, and then being able to scale to match demand needs to be considered.

Another major shift impacting all those planning and delivering retrofit right now is the transition from PAS 2019 to PAS 2035, the new standard for retrofit. Many organisations are still adapting to what this means in terms of compliance and internal process changes.

Resident engagement remains a cornerstone of successful retrofit projects, but can also be a significant challenge if not approached in the right way. Even with funding and contractors in place, progress can stall if residents are unwilling to engage, and engagement strategies need to take into consideration the differing needs of residents, the stages at which communication and engagement will be most effective, and an approach that will be open and honest, and  also positive about the benefits that schemes like this can deliver.

Taking a project from the planning stages into delivery also presents a number of challenges for many providers. This ‘mobilisation’ phase – between funding applications being approved and the start of practical delivery – is absolutely crucial to the future success of a retrofit project; when housing providers build capacity within their teams, develop their supply chains, get into the close detail that will enable them to deliver smoothly when the time comes. It is also a period when, without the right levels of support and guidance, projects can get stuck, and delivery is compromised.

Turning challenges into opportunities; introducing RISE

Recognising the challenges that exist when it comes to planning and delivering domestic retrofit at scale, the Department established Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise (or RISE) to offer comprehensive support and training for housing providers. As soon as Warm Homes funding was announced in 2024, RISE stepped in to work with housing providers and local authorities as they navigated the pre-application stage; helping them to develop and submit their project plans and funding requests.  And this approach worked, incredibly well. Applications for both the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and the Warm Homes: Local Grant far exceeded expectations, as housing providers accessed one to one support, training, content and resources to submit high quality, ambitious applications.

Then once the announcement of Warm Homes funding allocations was made in March 2025, RISE picked up the mantel again, this time working with all those housing providers that had been successful in their applications, as they navigated the project ‘mobilisation’ period; building capacity within their teams, developing their supply chains and getting ready for a smooth and successful delivery.

All the while, the RISE learning and development programme continues at pace; constantly evolving to reflect the needs of the sector, changes in legislation and the challenges that housing providers face as they work to deliver effective retrofit, at scale across their homes. 

Helping to realise the full potential of Warm Homes and retrofit

Whilst the challenges that housing providers face when it comes to planning and delivering retrofit are many, so are the benefits that can be realised if it is done well. And that is exactly why RISE exists; to stay at the forefront of changes, offer providers fresh insights and additional capacity and do everything possible to ensure projects start, and stay on track.

RISE’s Mobilising for Success programme is one part of this. Mobilising for Success (MFS for short) is exactly what it sounds like — a comprehensive programme designed to guide grant recipients from the point of receiving funding through to the successful delivery of retrofit works on their homes or within their local authorities.

At the heart of MFS is a structured approach to ensure readiness for delivery. One key tool in this process is the mobilisation confidence assessment, which helps identify gaps, risks, or potential points of failure in the mobilisation journey. Based on this assessment, recipients are provided with a tailored support plan, which can include one-to-one technical assistance, peer-to-peer roundtables, and learning and development opportunities such as masterclasses.

Many of the grant recipients will already be familiar with RISE, thanks to support that they received during the pre-application stage, the RISE training, learning and development programme that runs throughout the year and RISE’s wider online ‘Knowledge Hub’ which offers resources in a range of formats — from podcasts and masterclasses to peer reviews — all of which are accessible and reflect the needs of the sector.

Another way that RISE is evolving to meet the needs of the sector is through its programme of Supply Chain focused support activity. Launched in 2024, RISE’s Supply Chain support programme has seen over 20 Masterclasses delivered, and 26 Advice Packs published, all with the purpose of upskilling retrofit supply chain businesses, and offer them practical advice and support as they get ready to deliver government funded, Warm Homes retrofit schemes.

Bespoke Expertise and Ongoing Support

RISE’s offer also includes access to dedicated subject matter experts who are available to assist on specific areas such as procurement, data, or policy. Whether support is needed one-on-one or delivered in group settings, these experts are drawn in based on the individual needs of the organisations involved.

A new addition to the RISE support offer is the inclusion of Delivery Support Managers. These individuals act as dedicated guides throughout the mobilisation process, holding regular meetings, checking progress, and ensuring organisations are accessing all available support — from specialist masterclasses to expert consultations.

Evolving with the Landscape

Even organisations with previous success in delivering retrofit projects benefit from re-engaging with RISE. Staff turnover, shifting regulations, and updated scheme guidance all contribute to a dynamic delivery environment. What worked during a previous funding wave may no longer apply.

Legislative changes, updates to government guidance, and evolving sector expectations mean staying up-to-date is not optional. The RISE team stays at the forefront of these changes, offering fresh insights and additional capacity to ensure projects stay on track.

Ultimately, RISE isn’t just about initial preparation — it’s about sustained support, expert guidance, and ensuring that every retrofit project has the best possible chance to succeed.