SHIFT 2010 results announced

The sustainability rankings of 32 of the most environmentally forward thinking social housing providers were announced today.  The rankings were established using the Sustainable Homes Index For Tomorrow benchmarking system developed and administered by Sustainable Homes. 

The SHIFT public assessment scheme was first used in 2008 with 16 members taking part.  Then 12 achieved bronze and 4 silver.  Since 2008 membership has doubled to over 32.  Members now represent one million homes.

For the 2010/11 year 13 organizations achieved bronze standard, 16 silver and, phenomenally, one member achieved a gold ranking.  Two further SHIFT members gained commended status and all partakers were congratulated on having their environmental credentials independently reviewed.

SHIFT was developed in partnership with WWF-UK, Homes and Communities Agency, Tenant Services Authority and the UK Green Building Council.

SHIFT members are at the forefront of sustainability in the sector.  They have stepped forward to be assessed independently.  Colin Butfield, Campaigns Director at WWF comments: “SHIFT drives associations to reduce their carbon emissions, adapt to climate change and engage with residents.  WWF congratulates all these organizations for being at the forefront of sustainability.”

SHIFT is growing in popularity.  Members find the assessment and recommendations of real use. Rod Cahill, Chief Executive, Catalyst Housing Group comments: “SHIFT is providing a useful focus for the sector’s on-going work to improve it’s sustainability.  We have worked hard over the last 2 years in the areas of policy development, resident & staff engagement & office practices and are delighted with our silver award.” 

SHIFT is sponsored by the Apollo Group, Diamond Build and H+H.  The graph below illustrates SHIFT member performance for 2008 and 2010. 

The launch of the SHIFT 2010/11 annual results took place at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 9^th February 2010.

SHIFT 2010/11 rankings are as follows:

Platinum:       None at present 

Gold:              Wakefield and District Housing. 

Silver:             Bromford Group, Catalyst Housing Group, Gentoo Group, Great Places Housing Group, GreenSquare Group, Harvest Housing Association, Hastoe Housing Association, Havebury Housing Partnership, Hyde Group, Metropolitan Housing Partnership, MHS Homes Group, Octavia Housing, Peabody Group, Raven Housing Trust, Riverside Group, Sanctuary Group

Bronze:          A2Dominion Group, Affinity Sutton Group, Bracknell Forest Homes, Equity Housing Group, Flagship Housing Group, Gallions Housing Association, Hexagon Housing, Isos Housing Group, Longhurst Group, Southern Housing Group, Sovereign Kingfisher, Viridian Housing Association and West Kent Housing Association,

Commended: Knowsley Housing Trust, Regenda Group