City of London pioneers use of BREs Home Quality Mark, setting a precedent for social housing in the UK

Press releases
Jul 24, 2024

City of London pioneers use of BRE's Home Quality Mark, setting a precedent for social housing in the UK

A new benchmark for quality and sustainable living in the sector and beyond.

The City of London Corporation has placed the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) Home Quality Mark (HQM) at the forefront of its two latest social housing initiatives, setting a new benchmark for quality and sustainable living in the sector and beyond.

The City Corporation’s Sydenham Hill Estate and York Way Estate projects will deliver over 200 new homes for social rent that incorporate the use of HQM to provide a comprehensive sustainability audit trail from design to post-occupancy. This allows the City to accurately benchmark its commitments to sustainable urban housing against its Corporate Climate Action Strategy.

Today’s news marks a major milestone in the uptake of HQM. Building on the trusted science behind BREEAM, the standard was developed by BRE to provide independent verification to housing developers and investors that residential developments have met expected levels of performance. The standard- which has to date certified over 2,000 homes, and is currently being applied to over 25,000 homes across the UK- ensures that housing developments are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost-effective and comfortable to live in.

As early adopters of the Home Quality Mark, the City Corporation's approach serves as a model for sustainable urban development. Their commitment to high standards in social housing projects in particular sets a benchmark for all future endeavours in the sector.

– Gillian Charlesworth, CEO of BRE

The use of HQM on the two projects was accompanied by its wider incorporation into the City Corporation’s Housing Design Guide, which will inform all future aspects of the City’s housing delivery programme. A key factor of the City’s strategic move to implement the framework was HQM’s emphasis on health and wellbeing, helping ensure housing-related decisions are taken with the aim of positively impacting occupants’ health.

With more than 3,100 social housing residents across 12 estates in London and a commitment to deliver an additional 700 high-quality socially rented homes over the next 10 years, HQM will form an integral part of the City’s long-term management and maintenance strategies across its portfolio.

Helen Fentimen, Chair of City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services, said:
"The inclusion of the Home Quality Mark in our newest developments reflects the City Corporation’s commitment to high-quality social housing and ensures we not only meet but also exceed sustainability goals, delivering homes that benefit both residents and the broader environment.

"HQM's comprehensive template made it stand out amongst other methodologies we considered and its focus on aspects positively impacting health and wellbeing, particularly Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) objectives, provided clear targeted solutions.”

Gillian Charlesworth, CEO of BRE, added:

“As early adopters of the Home Quality Mark, the City Corporation's approach serves as a model for sustainable urban development. Their commitment to high standards in social housing projects in particular sets a benchmark for all future endeavours in the sector.

“The Home Quality Mark is a mark of distinction for developers, investors and residents alike. It not only enhances asset values, but contributes to lower energy bills, healthier living environments and tenant satisfaction that all create a more sustainable future.”

On Thursday 25th July, BRE is hosting a webinar on Home Quality Mark (HQM), exploring how the rating helps investors, developers and asset managers navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable residential investments.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For press enquiries, please email brepress@pagefield.co.uk

About Building Research Establishment (BRE)

BRE is a world leading, multi-disciplinary, building science centre with a mission to improve buildings and infrastructure, through cutting-edge research and knowledge generation. BRE maintains a range of products, services, standards and qualifications that are used around the world to bring about positive change in the built environment. Learn more at www.bregroup.com.

About the Home Quality Mark (HQM)

Building upon trusted BREEAM science, HQM offers a detailed and independent evaluation of new homes, focusing on quality, sustainability, and occupant wellbeing.

Dedicated to residential developments, the framework ensures that new homes are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost-effective and comfortable to live in.

Key features of HQM that stand out for these projects include: 

Energy efficiency: HQM assesses and encourages high standards in energy efficiency, which is essential for sustainable housing. 
Health and wellbeing: the focus on health and wellbeing in HQM ensures that housing positively impacts occupant health. 
Biodiversity and environmental impact: HQM encourages biodiversity net gain and minimal environmental impact, which are vital for sustainable urban development. 
Resilience to climate change: HQM promotes building homes resilient to future climate risks, a key aspect of sustainable development. 
Quality assurance: with a robust certification process, HQM ensures high standards in construction and offers a reliable indication of quality for residents.