Belgium/Hundreds of low-income housing units to undergo in-depth energy renovation in several communes of Walloon Brabant

Living in an energy sieve is expensive, both for your wallet and your health. In 2020, the Walloon Region has launched a vast energy renovation plan for 25,000 public housing units. These are low-income housing units, formerly known as social housing. It is in this context that Immobilière publique du center et de l'est du Brabant wallon is preparing to renovate 425 homes. Today, we're talking about a hundred homes in the Buston district of Ottignies and around thirty at the Résidence du Centre in Mont-Saint-Guibert. Others will follow in Jodoigne, Beauvechain and Incourt.

The aim is the same everywhere: to significantly improve the energy performance of these homes and achieve an EPB B rating, instead of E or F today. To achieve this, the roof and facades will be insulated, electrical and ventilation work carried out, and windows replaced in some cases. The boilers, for their part, have already been replaced, and wood cladding elements on the Buston will add a modern touch to the facades.

Who will pay for these renovations? The work will be financed 75% by the Region, with the remainder by IPB. In most cases, it will have no impact on rents, or at any rate no more than about 20 euros, so it's a marginal measure. On the other hand, tenants' charges are set to decrease de facto.

Renovations at Limelette and Mont-Saint-Guibert are awaiting planning permission. In any case, the work will take quite a long time to complete, with an estimated 500 days.

Source: www.rtbf.be/