Information taken from Sustainable Homes press release

A significant part of the affordable sector is taking part in the inaugural public Sustainable Homes Index For Tomorrow (SHIFT) ranking.  Members, which own more than 310,000 homes are leading the housing sector with an independent assessment of their sustainability.

In alphabetical order within bands Bromford Group, Gentoo Group, Peabody and Wakefield and District Housing achieved the silver band.  A2Dominion, Catalyst Housing Group, Derwent Living, Harvest Housing Group, Hastoe Housing Association, L&Q, Metropolitan Housing Partnership, MHS Homes Group, Network Housing Group, Raven Housing Trust, The Hyde Group and West Kent achieved the bronze band.

SHIFT was developed in partnership with the Tenant Services Authority, WWF-UK, the Bank of Scotland Corporate and the UK Green Building Council.  Assessment focuses on the sustainability of an organisations' offices, new build, governance and existing homes.

Asked about the ranking Colin Butfield, Head of Campaigns, WWF-UK had this to say ""It is great to see both the SHIFT members and the Mayor of London taking the sustainability of our existing homes seriously. Its the elephant in the room no longer, and that is vital if we are to make the necessary deep and lasting carbon cuts to meet our challenging climate change targets as enshrined in law last year. The impending national consultation on our existing housing will give us the opportunity to make up for years of missed opportunities and we must not squander it."

The Mayor has publicly endorsed SHIFT in his housing strategy encouraging the uptake of the tool among London affordable housing providers. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:  "I applaud the sixteen organisations who have made such a commitment to improving the environmental sustainability of their operations and I am very keen to see other public sector landlords in London following this commendable lead."

 The Homes and Communities Agency and the South East Economic Development Agency endorse SHIFT.  The National Housing Federation also support the work of SHIFT.

 Following this years assessment member organisations will come together for a year of learning on how to further reduce their environmental impact.   Membership is open to housing associations, local authorities and arms length maintenance organisations.

 For more information on how SHIFT operates and current members please click here