524 social housing units constructed up to the energy standards to minimise energy consumption and to reduce CO2 emissions protect the environment.
Rental social housing in Navarra region presents these facts: 1/ The demand largely exceeds the offer; 2/ The cases of energy poverty have increased, which leads to health problems of the tenants and pathologies inside the houses due to lack of ventilation (in order to keep the warm).
In addition, the EPBD 2010/31/EU (amended in 2018) states that all the new public buildings have to be built under NZEB standard from 2019 onwards to diminish CO2 emissions.
As a result Navarra Government (NG) established a Social Housing Plan, which responds to all these existing problems. The ultimate and primary objective of the Navarra Social Housing Planis to improve the quality of life of the Navarre citizens who demand a social housing.
Another objective was to be a pioneer in terms of energy commitment within Spanish regions. In Spain, this NZEB standard is defined with parameters, which comprises: Isolation, thermal bridges, mechanical ventilation with heat regeneration, airtightness, and energy efficient windows.
NG decided to build 524 dwellings under Passive House standard in different locations and phases, where rental housing stock demand is increasing. Generally, the plots, could be municipal or regional. In addition, in some specific cases, it is been testing new financial schemes between private owners and public administion. Stakeholders and beneficiaries: European Investment Bank (EIB), Administration (NG, Municipalities), construction companies, architects and tenants.
Resources needed
Total investment 80M€ (50% financed by EIB, the rest by NASUVINSA):
1. EIB-European funding - M40€
2. Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda, S.A (NASUVINSA) Own funds - M40€
Period: 2017-2020
Evidence of success
Dwellings affected by the project: new dwellings built (524 dwellings).
Total investment (80M€ -50% financed by EIB)
Employment generated: created or maintained around 300 jobs
Difficulties encountered
To respond to an increasing housing rental demand, NGr equired an unprecedented housing plan. A loan to the construction with EIB was signed . The investment in these dwellings was a bit higher (7% up than a standard renovation), but energy poverty and maintenance costs will be reduced.
Potential for learning or transfer
We believe that the situation described above is quite typical for every region and therefore, the practise is easily replicable.
As previously mentioned, this plan will serve to reduce energy poverty, maintenance costs and respond to the growing increase in the demand for social rent, as well as full-commitment of reducing CO2 emissions. Problems that are mostly repeated throughout the different countries.
However, this type of plan requires a firm commitment from the regional government.
This GP will spearhead nearly zero emissions buildings in Navarra housing sector and will become a driver for other authorities and private sector to follow.
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Tags: Efficiency, Energy, Housing, Social, Society, Emissions
