Executive summary

This report focuses on Longhurst Group’s progress across the 12 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) key themes outlined within the Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing (SRS). These themes, which are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), cover 48 ESG criteria, including zero carbon targets, affordability and safety standards. During the 2021/22 financial year, we continued to provide truly affordable housing across all of the local authority areas we operate in and 98 percent of the new homes we delivered comprised affordable rent or low-cost home ownership properties. Currently, 71 percent of our homes are rated EPC C or above and 99 percent of our new build development programme achieved a minimum EPC B, but we want to do even more. As well as installing ground source heating in 191 homes we’ve also applied for Social Housing Decarbonisation Funding to improve 581 of our properties. The safety of our customers remains paramount, and this is underlined by our case safety and risk compliance being 99.99 and 100 percent respectively. Supporting our residents and our colleagues, in terms of their health and wellbeing and economic resilience, remains a key driver for the organisation, as does our commitment to engaging with placemaking activities. By making progress in each of these areas, we underline our commitment to improving the lives of our customers and protecting and enhancing the communities we serve.