Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 - Notting Hill ...
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Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021
Introduction from the
chief executive
I am pleased to introduce Notting Hill Genesis’s first
environmental, social and governance report. The report
complements our financial statements, with a focus on
issues that are often less tangible than but as important as
strong finances.
Environmental, social and governance issues are one of five enabling themes in our
most recent corporate strategy, reflecting the importance of this topic across all areas
of our work.
We’ve had a clear social purpose from the earliest days of our founder organisations
in the 1960s when we were established to address the chronic shortage of
decent, affordable homes for west London’s working poor. Robust financial and
governance frameworks have been core to our ability to fulfil our social purpose
ever since, ensuring not only that we can afford to fund new homes as well
as improvements to our existing properties, but that we do so in a fair and
transparent manner.
The increasing global focus on climate change means that environmental
issues are now also a priority for us, and we are working hard to embed
more sustainable activity into everything we do.
We have a long way to go, but I am confident that our historic
strength in financial performance, social purpose and governance
arrangements, alongside a commitment to greater sustainability, and
our culture and values, provide a solid foundation on which to build.
Kate Davies
Chief executive
Contents Overview About us p2 The housing situation p2 Our approach p3 Social Affordability and security p5 Building safety and quality p7 Resident voice p8 Resident support p9 Placemaking p12 Environmental Climate change p18 Ecology p22 Resource management p25 Governance Structure and governance p28 Board and trustees p28 Staff wellbeing p30 Supply chain management p32
Notting Hill Genesis 1
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Overview
Where we work Harrow
Barnet
Number of homes currently under Haringey Waltham Redbridge
management in each London borough Forest
Havering
Isl
1 - 500 Brent Hackney
in
g
Camden Barking &
to
n
501 - 1,000 Dagenham
Newham
Tower
W
es
1,001 - 2,000 Hamlets
Ealing
tm
Hillingdon
Ke Ch smit
Ha Fulh
&
&
in
ns els
mm am
2,001 - 3,000
st
in ea
er
gt
er
on
3,001 - 4,000
So
Greenwich
ut
h
hw
4,000+ Hounslow
ar
Bexley
Lam
k
beth
Wandsworth
Total owned or managed Richmond Lewisham
66,537
In London
Merton
60,068
Outside London Kingston
6,469 Bromley
Properties under management Sutton
Croydon
65,000
Properties under management Shared
General needs ownership Leasehold
by tenure type 34,736 9,124 9,137 Key worker 1,447
Supported housing 3,636 Student 839
Temporary housing 2,880
Market rent 3,201
Notting Hill Genesis 2
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
About us The housing situation
Created in 2018 from two well-established housing associations, Notting There is a housing crisis in London, where there is a shortage of the required
Hill Genesis is now one of the largest housing associations in the country. number and type of homes, as evidenced by the demand levels shown in chart
We own and manage more than 66,000 homes and employ around 2,000 1. Several factors contribute, including insufficient public investment and a lack
staff. We provide homes across a range of tenures and are committed of available land for new homes.
to continuing to deliver affordable housing. Our roots reach back to the
1960s when our legacy organisations were established by local people For us, uncertain market conditions mean that our model of making surpluses
who shared a similar vision – to house west London’s working poor, through commercial activity to plough back into social activity is compromised.
providing them a home from which to build themselves and their families In consequence, we’ve scaled back our development programme, but we still
a secure future. aim to acquire, start and hand over 1,400 new homes a year.
More than half our homes are general needs properties charged at social In common with other housing providers, we face significant challenges
or affordable rent levels, but we also offer extra care and supported around building safety following the Grenfell fire tragedy four years ago and
accommodation for older people, as well as temporary housing, shared the multiple regulatory changes in response. Dealing with those challenges,
ownership, market rent and commercial properties. and the need to improve the environmental impact of our homes, must be
managed alongside our desire to continue to build new homes and play our
We build and maintain quality affordable homes, creating diverse and part in addressing London’s housing crisis.
thriving communities. This is our primary purpose. Everything else we do
supports that. Chart 1: Breakdown of national housing situation (2020)
Our focus is our residents. We put their needs at the heart of our
structures, processes and systems and they drive our decisions each
OVERCROWDING 3.4m
and every day. We want them to have safe, comfortable and sustainable
homes from where they can build lives, communities and futures.
UNABLE TO AFFORD RENT OR MORTGAGE 2.6m
7.9m HIDDEN HOUSEHOLDS 2.7m
TOTAL* UNSUITABLE HOUSING 1.4m
POOR QUALITY 1m
HOMELESS OR RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 0.4m
*People may experience more than one of these problems with their home, so the totals of each problem cannot be
directly combined to create the overall total.
Source: National Housing Federation (NHF), https://www.housing.org.uk/resources/people-in-housing-need/.
People in Housing Need, September 2020.
Notting Hill Genesis 3
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Our approach
We have chosen to report our environmental, social and embed ESG principles across our business. stage with regard to relevant topics. The assessment
and governance (ESG) performance in line with the helped to highlight our key priorities and material ESG
Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing Criteria associated with ESG are increasingly being issues which inform our strategy and how we manage
(SRSSH), published in November 2020. Further details considered by investors as they look to invest ethically these issues. The material topics identified during
of how our report aligns to the SRSSH are shown in in businesses and organisations that provide social the assessment have been aligned to the themes
appendix 1. As part of the group of early adopters value. The standard covers 12 core themes and has 48 contained within the SRSSH, and the UN SDGs, as
of this reporting framework, we hope that our criteria. These are qualitative and quantitative and are shown below.
participation will lead to greater standardisation and identified as the core requirements to demonstrate
comparability of ESG performance across the social strong ESG performance. They also align with the Making our ESG performance information more
housing sector. United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals accessible will demonstrate to our residents and other
(SDGs). stakeholders the positive impact that we are making
ESG issues are one of five enabling themes in our against these goals. In particular, it will show potential
corporate strategy. Those themes are integral to our We commissioned a materiality assessment which investors that by supporting our organisation, their
culture and how we work and, as such, they cut across was conducted through three key stages – desktop money can have a positive social impact.
the whole strategy. That means we need to prioritise research, stakeholder engagement and a validation
We believe protecting the environment is an integral
part of a high-performing, successful organisation.
ESG AREA Material ESG issues SRSSH Theme Key SDGs We will continue to reduce the environmental impact
Social Affordability and security
Affordable housing 11 Sustainable cities and communities of our activities through effective management of
Resident support
our carbon emissions, energy use, resource use,
Health and safety Building safety and quality 10 Reduced inequality
and waste. We will ensure that our homes are more
Communities, social impact and wellbeing Placemaking
11 Sustainable cities and communities
sustainable during their whole life, reducing carbon
Engagement and consultation Resident voice emissions and helping to tackle fuel poverty among
Environmental Energy, climate change and emissions our residents.
Innovation Climate change 13 Climate action
Sustainability governance and management A strong social proposition already helps us to attract
Biodiversity Ecology 15 Life on land and retain quality employees, enhance employee
motivation and increase our overall productivity. We
Resource use and circular economy Resource management 12 Responsible consumption and production
will ensure we continue to build on this and foster our
Governance ESG and business reporting
Structure and governance relationships with people and the communities where
Diversity and inclusion
16 Peace, justice and strong institutions we operate. Building on our diversity programme,
Fair and ethical conduct
Board and trustees we will ensure we have an inclusive, well-governed
Governance and risk management
Employee engagement, talent retention,
organisation, with a diverse leadership who can hold
welfare and benefits
Staff wellbeing 8 Decent work and economic growth
us to account, make good decisions and comply with
Human and labour rights the law.
Supply chain management 12 Responsible consumption and production
Supply chain
Notting Hill Genesis 4
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Social
As a social housing provider,
Notting Hill Genesis exists to
provide affordable and safe
homes to those who could
otherwise not afford one. Of
the 66,000 homes we own
or manage, the vast majority
(more than 60,000) are
located in London, although
we also operate in localities
beyond these boundaries.
Notting Hill Genesis 5
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Affordability and security
This theme seeks to assess the extent to which the housing provider provides long-
term homes that are genuinely affordable to those on low incomes. CASE STUDY
The theme is made up of five criteria including the tenure mix of new and existing
properties, the security of tenure, and fuel poverty.
Homes for Heroes
We offer homes across a range of tenures as Of our homes currently rented, Our purchase and repair (P&R) programme delivers fully
shown in table 1, with the majority classed 95.42% have no fixed term. Of renovated family homes at discounted rents to working
as affordable. Income from our commercial the remaining 4.58% of tenancies households who are priced out of the housing market, but are
properties, including outright sales to leaseholders which are fixed term, all of these unable to access social or shared ownership housing. It offers
and homes at market rent, is ploughed back into expire by 2025. Rents charged to a more secure and affordable alternative for families than
investment in existing units and building new residents for our general needs standard private rented accommodation. These homes are
homes. During the year ended 31 March 2021, we properties vary according to the fully funded by internal resources from Notting Hill Genesis.
let 3,822 homes to new residents. location of our stock, but are Branded as SimpliCity, the programme operates in specific
lower in all areas than equivalent outer London boroughs that offer both good value and strong
Table 1: Units under management private rental sector charges. The demand.
discount provided ranges from
6.78% in Bexley, to 74.48% in Our P&R programmes have delivered more than 900 family
TENURE CATEGORY UNITS UNDER PERCENTAGE
MANAGEMENT Kensington and Chelsea. homes for low income Londoners since the inception in 2013.
Social housing
In 2021-22 we are expanding our P&R programme to include
The rents we charge on general 100 units as “Homes for Heroes”, to be offered to essential
General rented housing 34,736 53.4%
needs properties are also lower workers in London. The Homes for Heroes programme aims
Shared ownership 9,124 14.0%
than the local housing allowance to show gratitude to essential workers who have contributed
Supported housing 3,636 5.6% (LHA) in all areas. The average rent and sacrificed so much during the coronavirus crisis, by
Temporary housing 2,880 4.4% we charge is approximately 47.75% providing good quality and affordable homes as part of our
Keyworker housing 1,447 2.2% lower than the LHA. LHA refers to established SimpliCity product.
Total social housing 51,823 79.7% the rate used by the Department
for Work and Pensions to calculate Our project managers identify suitable homes for sale on the
Non-social housing open market – typically, three-bedroom family houses with
housing benefit for tenants renting
Leasehold in management 9,137 14.1%
from private landlords. LHA rates back gardens, in sound condition but in need of significant
Market rent 3,201 4.9%
relate to an area in which a claim refurbishment. We buy the property and commission works
Student accommodation 839 1.3% is made, known as broad rental using consultants and contractors from our experienced and
Total son-social housing 13,177 20.3% market areas. reliable P&R framework. Those works generally include a new
kitchen and bathroom, flooring, full decoration and A-rated
Total 65,000 100.0%
white goods. The refurbishment standard is highly praised
by tenants.
Notting Hill Genesis 6
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Affordability and security (continued)
New homes
Our business plan targets demonstrate our intent to continue delivering affordable/low-cost homes In the year ended 31 March 2021, we completed
in future. For each of the next five years, our target is to deliver 1,400 acquisitions, starts on site, and 1,342 new homes, as shown in table 2.
handovers. This is a combination of new-build homes and properties bought for purchase and repair.
The target tenure breakdown for each year is as follows: Table 2: Homes completed in 2021
TENURE CATEGORY NUMBER PERCENTAGE
1400 acquisitions OF UNITS OF UNITS
General rented housing 475 35.4%
Shared ownership 347 25.9%
Market rent 244 18.2%
accommodation
Private sale 276 20.6%
1,342 100.0%
500
Low-cost rental
500
Intermediate
200 200
Market Outright
(350 shared ownership and rent sale
150 intermediate market rent)
Notting Hill Genesis 7
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Building safety and quality
This theme seeks to assess how effective the housing provider is at meeting The theme is made up of three criteria: disclosing gas safety checks, fire risk
its legal responsibilities to protect residents and keep buildings safe. assessments and meeting Decent Homes standards.
We established a dedicated building safety directorate at the start of the 2020/21 financial Progress on building safety programme
year to complete a comprehensive programme of work to ensure all our buildings are safe.
The programme includes ensuring all our buildings remain compliant with legislative and
Removed aluminium composite
regulatory requirements, resolving outstanding fire risk assessment actions and continuing
cladding (ACM) cladding on all seven
with an intrusive survey programme to identify necessary fire remediation works. Residents in
buildings higher than 18 metres for
affected buildings are updated on progress, and given realistic timescales for any works both
which we’re responsible
through direct contact and via a new building safety section on our website.
Our compliance performance at 31 March 2021, shows that we have achieved or are close to
100% compliance in all reportable areas, as shown in table 3. Carried out 132 intrusive surveys
(88 over 18m)
Table 3: Compliance performance
DESCRIPTION
PERFORMANCE
Reduced waking watch by installing
temporary alarms
Homes which meet the Decent Homes standard 99.48%
Homes with a valid gas safety certificate 99.93%
Submitted 40 bids to the
Buildings on which a fire risk assessment has taken place 100.00% government’s building safety fund
Obtained external wall system
certificates (EWS1 forms) for 174
buildings
Negotiated contractor financial
contribution on nine schemesNotting Hill Genesis 8
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Resident voice
This theme seeks to assess how effective the housing
provider is at listening to and empowering residents.
The theme is made up of three themes that cover board
scrutiny, complaint handling and resident satisfaction. CASE STUDY
Resident satisfaction Resident involvement Gas safety check warning letters
Improving resident satisfaction with our Our Resident Voices Group (RVG) acts In May and June 2020, the Hammersmith and
services is a key performance measure and as a formal link between residents and Fulham resident scrutiny group identified a rise in
outcome for our corporate strategy. the governance community. It is chaired complaints about letters to residents when access
by a resident board member, and has could not be gained to carry out a gas safety check.
We carry out regular transactional surveys representation from all parts of the Complaints were predominantly regarding the tone and
with our residents which gives us feedback involvement network, including resident language of these legal letters. The group identified
on their experience of our services. This members of the sub-committees of our improvements to the letter from a resident perspective,
includes responsive repairs, calls with the group board. The network combines a which were actioned, resulting in a month-on-month
customer service centre and local officers. blend of ongoing activities with resident decrease in complaints regarding the letters after the
These surveys mean that we can track groups who undertake short, focused, task- updated version went into use in July.
how we are doing each month, and make and-finish projects with a clear aim, desired
changes to our services from the feedback outcome and impact measures. Further learning was also taken on board from this
received. They also allow us to compare project such as:
ourselves to others within the G15. In 20/21, The RVG is the hub where all resident • More of a focus on the weeks prior to the letter
73.7% of our residents were satisfied with involvement activities intersect, ensuring being sent, demystifying the legal processes
the services that they received from us. that the resident experience is understood so residents understand the importance of
and that feedback from a local level is heard compliance and the process around this.
We also use the customer service index and acted on when making organisation
(CSI) to understand how all our residents wide improvements. • More general information on gas and fire safety to
view us. This is a perception measure and be published on our website.
includes the views of residents who have • Using the same feedback to update compliance
not had any recent contact with us. For Complaint handling warning letters.
our baseline survey in 2018 our CSI score
was 65.2%. The score for 2021 was During the year there were six
maladministration findings by the
67.5%. ombudsman, which was consistent with
the previous year.Notting Hill Genesis 9
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Resident support
This theme seeks to assess the effectiveness of the initiatives that
the housing provider runs to support individual residents.
The theme is made up of two criteria that cover what support
is provided and how successful it is. Resident support in 2020/21
All residents have a named local officer to support them with more
complex issues that can’t be handled through our online My Account
portal. We also employ specialist welfare benefits advisers and a
partnership team, who work with external agencies to signpost
residents to additional support mechanisms.
158 food 108 food
We engage actively and passively with residents to help them reduce 554 referrals bank referrals parcels were
157 people
energy use in their homes. For example, we use green doctors, who were made were made by delivered to
referred to
provide energy advice to vulnerable and low-income households to external staff and 162 shielding,
services energy support
around switching to better energy deals and support residents with supermarket vulnerable and
(including
making grant applications to utility trusts. Our in-house welfare vouchers were sick residents as
HACT Energy
benefits team also make applications for grants towards water and issued from our part of the Good
redress
hardship fund Gym project
utilities arrears at the same time as providing casework support. scheme)
Partnership agreements for our regeneration schemes at the Aylesbury
Estate in Southwark, Grahame Park in Barnet, and Woodberry Down in
Hackney include comprehensive support packages for residents. These
provide employment, training and education opportunities, money
management workshops, activities and advice for young people, and
welfare support, which was especially important during the pandemic.
21 residents
have been Covid-19 Frontline staff
carried out
matched with a £1,220 was support welfare checks
phone befriender awarded to 25 packs were to all residents
to support households for produced for
socially isolated pre-paid meters staff to direct over 60 and
residents as part residents to any known
as part of the
of Call and Chat, support in every vulnerable
HACT energy
a volunteering borough and tenants on their
redress scheme
programme area patch
in DecemberNotting Hill Genesis 10
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Resident support (continued)
CASE STUDY
Supporting residents
during the pandemic
During the first lockdown we
mobilised quickly to support tenants
who may have found themselves
with an unexpected drop in income.
Our welfare benefits team operated
a phone call-back service to advise
tenants on entitlement and provided
updated information on our website
around benefit calculators and
Welfare benefits service claiming universal credit.
We operate an in-house, specialist welfare benefits Many families found themselves
team made up of eight expert caseworkers. The struggling to meet essential food
team assist residents to challenge benefit decisions and utilities costs. Through our
and resolve complex issues, and represent them at Our strategy is to move towards an early- emergency food support package
tribunal. We provide a holistic service and advisers intervention approach, whereby cases are we’ve been able to provide
will refer to employment, debt or other support proactively reviewed at earlier stages to look for supermarket vouchers to households
where appropriate. signs of welfare benefits issues. We have taken and access to food banks. Our
steps to do this in the last year through carrying volunteering team undertook a
The team work with vulnerable tenants who have out joint case reviews with housing teams and project in partnership with Good Gym
no benefits or gaps in payments. These cases temporary housing. to deliver food parcels to tenants who
often involve multi-agency working, and non- were shielding, isolating or sick and
engagement due to mental health is a challenge. our Call and Chat project mobilised
We are developing an approach towards these staff volunteers to make phone calls
difficult cases and, where possible, working with to those isolated and lonely during
partners at local authorities or organisations like the pandemic.
Shelter.Notting Hill Genesis 11
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Resident support (continued)
CASE STUDY
Partnerships team Business in the Community, Click Silver project
matching digital mentors to
We provide support to residents socially isolated residents and Digital inclusion is a priority for
in several different ways, and those who lack confidence the partnerships programme
the team operate an extensive using IT. this year. Our aim is to help
database of referral partners. The residents better access the
database is available on our website • London Plus Credit Union, a
project to help build financial internet through training and
and residents or staff can search skills building, coaching and by
through, filter and self-refer directly resilience among residents who
may struggle with unexpected addressing financial barriers.
to the partner organisation. These
referrals are then tracked by the expenses or the costs of In March 2021, we launched our Click Silver project in partnership with
partnerships team. birthdays/Christmas and so on. Business in the Community, Capital One and our own care and support
The project delivers financial directorate. The project supports residents to make greater use of the
Key partners and projects include: wellbeing sessions, encourages internet via trained mentors who provide one-to-one support. Support
• Debt Free London, a savings and raises awareness is led by the resident and could include learning how to use Zoom to
partnership to provide an about responsible borrowing keep in contact with family or to shop online, for example.
independent debt advice options.
number for residents where • Justice Community, a referral The project is available to all residents aged 18 or over from any tenure
they can speak to a debt partner providing dispute throughout the year. We will also be supporting tenants in financial
advisor. resolution support. hardship to access reconditioned tablets/laptops or funding to buy
their own devices.
• Settle, funded by us until • Good Gym, under which we’ve
January 2021 to provide one- funded free food parcels to be
to-one, tailored support work delivered to residents affected
to young tenancy holders (aged by Covid-19 and struggling to • Settled Campaign, to ensure • Little Village, who operate
25 and under) to help sustain buy food. all EU, EEA and Swiss nationals a network of baby banks
their tenancy. register for settled and pre- distributing baby equipment,
• Green doctors, who provide settled status before 30 June hygiene packs and clothes to
• Money A&E, funded by us to energy advice to vulnerable 2021. This has been promoted vulnerable families.
deliver one-to-one budgeting and low-income households to all frontline housing staff as
and financial education around switching to better well as residents.
sessions for our tenants. energy deals and offer support
with making grants to utility • Ingeus and Love London,
• Click Silver, a digital inclusion partners providing employment
project in partnership with trusts.
and training support.Notting Hill Genesis 12
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Placemaking
This theme seeks to highlight the wider set of activities that housing The theme is made up of one criterion: a space for the housing provider to
providers undertake to create well-designed homes and places that meet give examples of their placemaking or placeshaping work.
local needs and provide great places for people to live and enjoy.
Much of our placemaking activity focuses on our major regeneration schemes at the Aylesbury Estate in Southwark and Grahame Park in Barnet and in larger
development programmes such as Royal Albert Wharf in Newham. All of these focus not just on bricks and mortar, but on building and sustaining communities
where people choose to stay or put down roots. They also ensure that existing residents benefit in socio-economic terms.
Grahame Park and inclusion, build resilience and is higher than the target set via our
community wealth, as well as principal development agreement
The Grahame Park estate, in increasing the capacity of local with Barnet.
Colindale, Barnet, was built in organisations to ensure longer-term
the early 1970s on the site of the sustainability. Through the pandemic, many
disused Hendon Aerodrome. The community services have been
estate is within the top 10% of the The first stage of the regeneration supported by us to transition online,
most deprived areas nationally, is complete, comprising 685 new including tutoring, counselling and
with unemployment rates above homes, a new library and training exercise classes. We championed
the national average. Local college, council offices, a centre digital inclusion including providing
young people, women, disabled for independent living, and a fast fibre broadband, supply More recently, we were successful
people and BAME communities supermarket. It also includes the of laptops/tablets and training in gaining hybrid planning approval
are the most disproportionately refurbishment of Heybourne Park to community researchers. We also for a new masterplan. This includes
underrepresented in the labour create a sustainable urban wildlife supported people in food poverty more than 2,000 new homes, up to
market, especially in higher- wetland. and community growing projects, 5,950 square feet of flexible non-
skilled and better-paid jobs. These such as planting in the park and a residential floorspace (including
An extensive socio-economic proposed community garden. replacement community facilities)
groups have also been among the programme, funded by us for the
most affected by the pandemic and new sustainable transport links.
past 15 years, has supported more This year, we opened an enterprise,
lockdowns and the furlough than 2,000 residents through employment and skills hub in We have started demolition works,
scheme, which started in March training and skills development, and the old library to support post- and are undertaking an extensive
2020. the launch of 50 new businesses. pandemic employment initiatives programme of community
Our partnership with the London Our economic inclusion offer has with collaboration from partners consultation on later phases of
Borough of Barnet to regenerate supported more than 55% of under- including the Greater London the redevelopment, to deliver
the estate began in 2007, with the represented groups (including Authority, Department for Work and neighbourhood objectives which
intention of delivering 3,500 homes. women and residents from BAME Pensions, Transport for London and will achieve our placemaking vision,
The strategy aims to increase backgrounds) into employment Barnet Boost, to assist Grahame and create a strong sense of new
resident experiences of equality and training opportunities, which Park to grow back stronger. identity for the community.Notting Hill Genesis 13
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Resident support –
Grahame Park and Woodberry Down regeneration projects
Citizen Advice Diversionary activities Physical wellbeing
Bureau
2020/21: 2020/21:
2020/21: Half-term programmes for young people Physical activity
Money management 67 248
participants
197 82%
participants 37% of participants were from BAME
female backgrounds
65%
female 63% 74%
BAME of participants are those with long-
term illness
Economic
inclusion Tutors United 39%
of participants were 50+
2020/21:
2020/21:
Tutoring sessions (English/Maths)
Employment and
training
20 Environment
1,001 young people
2020/21:
participants
Six Community garden
54% employment outcomes
71
BAME
participants
Enterprise (business
45%
English as an additional language
start-ups)
31%
21 80%
BAME
participants in receipt of means-tested benefits
61% 60%
female receive free school mealsNotting Hill Genesis 14
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
residents have been
awarded bursaries to
support them with
training, employment, education and
financial hardship.
included upgrading
four multi-use games
areas with young people,
Aylesbury Estate establishing a new community
garden supplying produce to local
Over a 20-year programme, Notting food banks, and a community and
Hill Genesis and the London food hub.
Borough of Southwark are working
in partnership to regenerate the At the heart of the regeneration
sustaining this strong sense of A further 585 residents have been is a commitment to involve
Aylesbury Estate in Walworth, south- community and have invested awarded bursaries to support
east London, building on its existing residents in shaping the future
significantly in strengthening them with training, employment, of their neighbourhood. Over
strong sense of community, while community resilience, awarding 68 education and financial hardship.
improving the physical environment. the past year, we have had 2,199
grants to community groups at a resident involvement outcomes
The regeneration will deliver 3,500 total value of £90,000 to support During the pandemic, we provided a
new homes, 50% of which will range of resident support, including on the regeneration programme,
mutual aid, social connectedness ranging from input into planning
be affordable, alongside open and wellbeing, as well as supported a 40% increase in bursaries to
spaces and community facilities. support digital inclusion and food consultations on the design of the
capacity-building initiatives. new homes, choosing interiors,
The partnership is committed security and 2,625 attendances
to ensuring that local people To date, we have supported 150 at our online youth programmes. shaping local services and facilities,
experience the social and economic residents to secure and sustain We also established the Walworth and feeding back on contractors’
benefits of regeneration, such as jobs, 67 residents to complete neighbourhood food model with performance. We have delivered
employment, education and training apprenticeships, 252 training the Walworth Group collective of several projects with residents
and improvements in health and courses to be undertaken and 144 local partners. to design and influence their
wellbeing. young people to receive intensive neighbourhood, including young
support. We and our supply chain We have worked with residents and people designing bricks for the
Walworth has a fantastic sense of have committed to paying at least community partners to deliver an facades of the new homes and older
community, with 89% of residents the London Living Wage and interim use programme that delivers residents providing input into an
feeling a sense of belonging, 25% providing a range of high-quality community benefit, activates over-55s new housing development
higher than the UK average, based apprenticeships, work placements disused and underused spaces and on the Aylesbury, the first of its kind
on a baseline residents’ survey in and jobs for Aylesbury residents. tests new approaches to inform in Southwark.
2015. We are committed to longer-term planning. Projects haveNotting Hill Genesis 15
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Resident support –
Aylesbury Estate regeneration project
Construction Training Initiative Financial resilience
(CTI)
Programme of money management
Construction training initiative to support residents workshops, financial bursaries (up
in boroughs where we are developing new homes to to £250), signposting/referrals to
gain industry qualification and paid work placement. specialist services.
Focus on supporting women and residents from
BAME communities into careers in construction. Since 2014:
585
1,030 70% bursaries awarded
trainees/apprentices BAME
2020/21:
70% 15%
gaining qualification women 10
residents completed money
management training
50%
securing sustained
employment 1
resident supported with backdated
housing benefit payment of £7k
Achieve youth support Employment support and training Welfare support
One-to-one service for young people aged 12-25, focused Caseload of one-to-one employment support for residents Regular phone calls to socially isolated residents during the pandemic.
on supporting and coaching to achieve goals they set to increase employability, secure and sustain employment, Cuppa and a chat online social events fortnightly to connect and
for themselves, ranging from employment, education, in-work support, career development and progression Also listen to residents, provide support and signpost to services.
housing, enterprise, self-confidence, mental health, among includes financial bursaries and tailored training programme.
others. Signposting/referrals to specialist services. 2020/21:
Since 2014:
Since 2014:
150 252 39
socially isolated residents received regular welfare checks during the
144 jobs sustained training places pandemic
young people supported
Each young person achieved average of three outcomes 67 585 20
as a result of support apprenticeships bursaries awarded residents participated in cuppa and a chat in 2021Notting Hill Genesis 16
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
of 1,856 new
homes will be
affordable housing.
Royal Albert Wharf partnership with
them includes space
We are more than halfway through for the various activities,
delivering the multi-phase Royal but also funding for RAW labs,
Albert Wharf (RAW) development which works to engage residents
in the Royal Docks in Newham. in community and personal
The programme comprises three development activities such as
adjacent sites, which we are workshops and classes.
developing under one master plan When complete in 2026, the and refurbish the historic working
to ensure we create an entirely new The success of RAW is now reaching
scheme will have delivered more pump house, turning it into a stand- out into the wider placemaking
and coherent neighbourhood with than 1,856 new homes, of which at out feature of the development.
a strong sense of its own identity on context of the Royal Docks. We
least 40% will be affordable housing, The project team also worked with have held events over the past
previously brownfield docklands. and 8,700m² of commercial space. local communities in Beckton and five years in conjunction with the
Our ultimate aim is to create To date we have delivered 1,110 Woolwich to design new public London Festival of Architecture,
an attractive, tenure-blind and homes, and 3,000m² of commercial spaces and useful communal Join the Docks Festival and other
liveable community. There will be space have been completed and and retail facilities, with a strong independent organisations, inviting
a high proportion of affordable occupied. RAW has already won emphasis on ensuring long-term members of the public in to see the
housing, a range of retail amenities, several prestigious awards in regeneration and placemaking buildings, engage in talks and walks,
workspaces, and cultural and recognition of both architectural benefits. and enjoy performance art in the
community facilities as well as excellence and success in public spaces of the scheme. We
placemaking. We have invested significant
design features such as linked public capital in establishing the spine are engaged with the Royal Docks
open spaces, landmark buildings To develop the commercial strategy of the RAW workspace offer. Our steering group, now under the remit
and creative landscaping to guide and placemaking masterplan we partners Bow Arts, an educational of the Greater London Authority,
people through the development. undertook extensive consultation charity, have more than 20 years’ which guides the regeneration
Having control over all of the with existing residents, local experience supporting community of the docks as a whole. We are
sites has allowed us to lever in businesses and other stakeholders regeneration through delivering seen as an excellent example of
commercial tenants and shift uses in the local area. We have also arts and crafts and food and best practice regeneration and
as the scheme develops, in order worked closely with the Royal Docks beverage opportunities, community placemaking in London.
to deliver on the overall objectives Management Authority to preserve services and affordable space. Our
across the entirety of the scheme.Notting Hill Genesis 17
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Environmental
Protecting the environment is an
integral part of a high-performing,
successful organisation. We are
fully committed to supporting the
UK in achieving its net zero carbon
emissions target by 2050, by ensuring
we improve the energy efficiency of
homes and reduce CO2 emissions.
Our development programme and
asset strategy have been formulated
to ensure our environmental impact
is at the forefront.Notting Hill Genesis 18
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Climate change
This theme seeks to assess how the activities of the housing provider are impacting on climate
change, and how they are mitigating the physical risks of climate change. This theme considers CASE STUDY
current practice, as well as the changes being made to improve performance in the future.
The theme is made up of six criteria, including the distribution of energy performance certificate Implementing an insulation
(EPC) ratings, emissions data, climate risk mitigation plan and environmental strategy.
programme
We develop new homes practices to achieve this, reaching EPC for some homes, We have worked with a company called Warmfront
primarily in Greater London, from better understanding especially those in conservation on an insulation programme using funding from
which comply with the the environmental, social and areas and listed buildings. the government’s affordable warmth scheme,
requirements of the Greater governance credentials of our which is part of its energy company obligation
London Authority’s London suppliers, to considering the Table 4: EPC ratings on (ECO) – an energy efficiency scheme to help
Plan. The plan covers environmental impact of the existing homes reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.
environmental considerations benefits we provide to our staff.
such as ecology, green space, EPC PERCENTAGE OF Our aim is to identify rental homes within our stock
carbon emissions, development RATING HOMES that are failing in terms of energy performance
of low carbon heat networks, Energy performance in A - and are eligible for fully funded external cavity wall
waste management, transport, existing homes B 12.3%
insulation. External cavity wall insulation makes
water use and drainage. The homes more comfortable in temperature terms
C 60.4%
environmental standards set We have a comprehensive and can potentially reduce utility bills by up to
D 24.2%
out in the London Plan are asset management strategy to £255 a year per household. For us, better insulationNotting Hill Genesis 19
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Climate change (continued)
CASE STUDY
Kidbrooke Station Square
Energy performance in new homes
Kidbrooke Square is a joint venture project with Transport for
Of our newly built properties completed during the year ended 31 March 2021, London (TfL). When complete it will deliver 619 homes, with 50%
98.8% were rated as EPC B, and 1.2% at EPC C. Our intention is that all newly affordable housing, alongside a commercial offering, new nursery,
developed units will be rated as EPC B or above in future years. improved public transport access and associated landscaping. We
have been on site with ground works since early 2020, and the
Our purchase and repair (P&R) programme involves the acquisition and first homes will be delivered in autumn 2022, with completions
refurbishment of older properties, which are not constructed to new build running through to 2027/28. Working in partnership with TfL we
standards. These properties are financed entirely by us and do not rely on any continually assess the sustainability aspects of the development
grant funding. in accordance with TfL’s Sustainable Development Framework
under three key themes: economic, environmental, and social
sustainability. This involved assessing the design, construction and
As our P&R properties involve the acquisition of existing properties of varying long-term operation of the scheme against a large number of key
age and condition, they often perform poorly in terms of energy use. We performance indicators. The project is currently performing well,
retrofit all P&R houses to ensure they are left with new gas combi-boilers, already showing a 40% reduction in carbon emissions against
electronic thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves, full double glazing, national standards. Improvements
300mm loft insulation and low energy lighting. Our target is for each P&R to the public realm include new
property to achieve EPC C at the point of letting, but we also review what is pavements, trees, and retail spaces,
technically feasible and financially viable on a case-by-case basis. Most of our and public transport is being
retrofits deliver an improvement of one or even two EPC bands, as can be seen enhanced through additional and
in table 5. better bus facilities and cycle hubs.
There are also further opportunities
Table 5: EPC ratings for purchase and repair homes completed in 2021 to improve the scheme’s
EPC RATING BEFORE REFURBISHMENT AFTER REFURBISHMENT sustainability as it progresses
through construction and handover.
C 13.6% 71.2%
D 65.2% 28.8%
E 13.6% - The new development is designed to
achieve a 40% reduction in carbon
F 6.1% -
emissions against national standards.
G 1.5% -
Total 100% 100%Notting Hill Genesis 20
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Climate change (continued)
Greenhouse gas emissions
Our total greenhouse gas emissions
for the year ended 31 March 2021
were 14,734 tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent (tCO2e), as shown in table 6.
These include the emissions associated
with UK electricity and natural gas
consumption, and business travel in
company and private vehicles. Our
intensity ratio is 16.2 tonnes CO2e per
£m of revenue.
Table 6 - Greenhouse gas emissions
by scope (tCO2e) CASE STUDY
SCOPE DESCRIPTION EMISSIONS,
TCO2E Castle Lane
1 Natural gas and 6,457
company operated We have been selected by property company loss from the façade which means less energy will
transport
Landsec as their affordable housing partner for this be required to heat the buildings. A new efficient
2 Electricity 7,598
scheme in central London. Landsec are refurbishing heat network will be installed to deliver heating
3 Losses from electricity 679 three Victorian mansion blocks and a 1990s block and hot water. Photovoltaic panels on the roof
distribution and
transmission and grey in a conservation area in Westminster into 88 will generate renewable energy providing a peak
fleet affordable apartments for low-cost sale and rent. electrical output of 32kW.
Total 14,734 The project has recently been granted planning
permission and is due to start on site in summer The energy efficiency improvements are predicted
2021. to lead to a significant reduction in operational
carbon emissions compared to the existing
The buildings will undergo a full fabric upgrade buildings. Maintaining and refurbishing the existing
including internally insulating the external walls and buildings avoids having to use virgin materials,
installing replacement double glazed sash windows, which results in a significantly lower amount of
using carefully designed construction details to embodied carbon than for a new-build scheme.
avoid thermal bridging. This is to minimise the heatNotting Hill Genesis 21
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Climate change (continued)
Energy efficiency Cycling to work reduces an
individual’s carbon footprint by
actions – greener around 600kg of CO2 each year.
Our cycle to work scheme offers
transport options staff the chance to order a new bike,
Over the past year, we’ve returned equipment or both up to the value
our leased hybrid vehicles, of £2,000. We pay for the order up
which were near the end of their front and staff agree to hire the bike
expected life, and bought a fleet from Halfords, who are the legal
of environmentally friendly, fully owner of the bike from the start of
electric cars and vans. the hire period. Colleagues then pay
the organisation back each month
We’ve bought a total of 22 cars through their salary to make tax
and two vans of varying models savings of 32% or 42%. hybrid working model, significantly
and sizes. All are environmentally reducing travel requirements.
friendly, fully electric and emission
free. We’ve also installed six charge Going digital In spring 2021, we started a project
points each at our two main to move our IT infrastructure and
offices at Bruce Kenrick House in We are steadily moving more of our systems into the Microsoft Azure
King's Cross and Sussex Place in transactional services online which cloud. The main driver for the shift
Hammersmith. cuts down substantially on printing is the ability to access innovative
and transport. More than 52% of technologies located in the cloud
Apart from the obvious benefit to our residents now have an online platform more easily and quickly.
the environment, electric vehicles account through My Account – our That supports our strategic aim of
pay no congestion charge and digital portal – and a campaign automating services and using data
are generally cheaper to run and is planned for autumn 2021 to and business intelligence for better
maintain than petrol or diesel encourage more of them to sign up. business decision-making, and
vehicles. We also benefitted from a improving our digital service both
government grant which covered The pandemic required us to move
meetings online and we anticipate for residents and colleagues. Using
some of the cost of installing the the cloud is also a greener solution
charging points at our offices. that many will continue to take place
virtually as we introduce a more and will contribute to improving our
environmental credentials.Notting Hill Genesis 22
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Ecology
This theme seeks to assess how the housing provider is protecting
CASE STUDY
the local environment and ecology.
The theme is made up of two criteria around managing pollutants
and increasing biodiversity. Smarter working in offices
Throughout office refurbishment work
in 2019 we aimed to reuse and recycle
Flood risk and overheating as much as possible. Despite our new
On new builds we carry out flood risk assessments on all projects in flood modern look, we were able to reuse 30%
risk zones and take mitigation measures where necessary. This involves either of the old desks at our office in King’s
reducing the impacts of flooding on the proposed development, or reducing Cross. Some of the old office chairs even
the impact of our development on the local flood risk management measures. found a new home at Pound Park Nursery
School in Greenwich. The remainder of the
Where necessary for local flood risk mitigation, we provide rainwater old chairs were taken by an organisation
attenuation to reduce surface water run-off rates into the sewers. The that redistributes them to community
rainwater that lands on the buildings and landscaped areas is stored and organisations. The skip contractor we used
released slowly into the sewer network. This reduces the influx of water into sorts and recycles the content of each load
the sewers and local watercourses and lowers the risk of flooding down- where possible. This meant that only 5%
stream. Typical rainwater attenuation measures are: green roofs, brown roofs, went to landfill. Even copper piping from
blue roofs, soakaways, swales, permeable paving and attenuation tanks. the toilet refurbishment was recycled.
Our designers carry out an overheating risk assessment in accordance with the As we begin to revaluate how we will
standardised approach adopted by the Chartered Institution of Building Services work post pandemic we’ve decided not to
Engineers. They do this prior to the planning submission and then again reopen two of our offices, nor to go ahead
before construction. The process involves dynamic computer modelling of the with planned new office space in Waterloo.
proposed dwelling design against a set of overheating criteria, to simulate how This substantially reduces our carbon
the dwellings will perform in warm weather throughout the year. The dwelling footprint not only through savings on
design is then adapted to ensure the overheating criteria are met. heating and lighting those buildings, but by
cutting down the need to travel between
Our preference is to ensure the overheating risk can be mitigated via passive multiple offices. Similarly, the new hybrid
means such as openable windows or acoustically attenuating louvres rather working model we plan to introduce will
than resorting to energy intensive air-conditioning. We brief the designers see some colleagues working from home
to ensure acoustics and air quality are considered when assessing the more often which will also reduce travel.
overheating risk and mitigation strategy. Our in-house technical manager
reviews the designs and the modelling to provide an additional level of
technical scrutiny.Notting Hill Genesis 23
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Ecology (continued)
Informing residents Ecology and biodiversity initiatives
Residents are provided with Initiatives to improve ecology and biodiversity are largely
leaflets at the start of new delivered at a local level, especially as part of our regeneration
tenancies and on maintenance schemes. For example, we’re working with Groundwork
visits. They are also signposted to London on the Grahame Park regeneration programme in
information on web pages, which Colindale to create a new green space at the heart of the estate.
include video content. The team are currently canvassing opinion from local people
about what the space might include, with ideas ranging
We provide a manual to residents from an area to relax and unwind or for something more
on new-builds as part of the practical such as growing fruit, vegetables or flowers.
welcome pack to advise them on: At the Aylesbury Estate in Southwark, we worked with
• Using the heating system residents and partners to create a colourful oasis of
for comfort and energy flowers on a previously unloved plot of land next to
efficiency one of our construction sites.
• Correct use of the ventilation We have community allotments at two of our
to ensure good air quality is extra care schemes, where residents and local
maintained without excessive people are able to try their hand at gardening.
energy use
• Energy efficient use of the We are also exploring local pockets of good
white goods and electronics practice to see whether such measures
might be introduced more widely and,
• Using the heating and potentially, added to future contracts.
ventilation to prevent These include grounds maintenance
condensation and mould contractors using sustainable alternatives
growth to herbicides and pesticides and greater
use of Building Research Establishment
(BRE) green-rated products in
refurbishment and maintenance activities
such as asbestos removal and mould
surveys.Notting Hill Genesis 24
Environmental, social and governance report 2020 - 2021 Overview Social Environmental Governance
Ecology (continued)
CASE STUDY
Green space and biodiversity Community gardening at
Our new developments aim to achieve Hambledon Court
an urban greening factor of 0.4 wherever
possible, to ensure a significant proportion At Hambledon Court, which provides keyworker
of green space, green cover and green accommodation for NHS staff based mainly
infrastructure is provided at the site. at King’s College Hospital and King’s College
London, one of our residents got together with
The urban greening factor and ecological two staff members to transform a dull patch of
biodiversity on new developments are earth on the estate into a community garden.
improved by the provision of green roofs,
trees, planted areas and green spaces, which Thomas, an NHS nurse, made plans for the garden
promotes biodiversity on the site. while he took a break from the stress of the
pandemic. Notting Hill Genesis provided plants
and shrubs which were planted up by Thomas and
other residents in May 2021 and are now being
watered and cared for by our resident team. Next
on the agenda is the clear-up and dig-over of
another area of the garden where the group plan
to grow vegetables and herbs that residents can
use in their cooking. They also hope to be able
to use the garden for social events as lockdown
eases and the sun comes out.You can also read
