Environmental, social and governance
We strive to drive positive change within the housing sector, and our robust Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) propositions play a vital role in setting our strategic direction.
Our ESG commitment
One Vision Housing is committed to sustainable housing and the well-being of our customers and communities. As a responsible social housing provider with over 14,000 homes, we prioritise environmental sustainability and social responsibility in all our operations.
We conduct annual self-assessments against the Sustainability Reporting Standards to track our progress and report on our ESG performance to our Board and Risk and Audit Committee. This ensures transparency and accountability in our commitment to creating sustainable and thriving communities.
Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing, said:
“At One Vision Housing, we are deeply committed to building a sustainable future for our residents and wider community. This commitment is reflected in our strong focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, which guide our decision-making and actions.
As part of this commitment, we conduct a rigorous annual self-assessment based on the ESG reporting framework. This framework allows us to measure our performance across a range of sustainability metrics in a way that is transparent, consistent, and comparable to industry standards.
The results of this self-assessment are then reported to our board members, ensuring strong accountability and oversight of our ESG efforts“
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Environmental
Environmental criteria considers how we use energy and manage our environmental impact, with factors including:
- Energy Efficiency: Retrofits with the aim of increasing the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating to C or above.
- Climate Change and Carbon Emissions: Adherence to the Sovini Group Carbon Reduction and Environmental Management Strategy and reporting on regulated emissions.
- Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping: Utilising GIS mapping to analyse data from our areas/estates, enabling us to proactively address environmental risks.
- Waste Management: Recycling of materials through our in-house supplier, Sovini Waste Solutions.
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Social
Social criteria examines how we foster our people and culture, and how that has a ripple effect on our broader community. Factors include:
- Inclusivity & Diversity: Promoting a workplace that embraces and values diversity across all dimensions (gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, disability, etc.).
- Employee Engagement: Creating a positive and supportive work environment that motivates and empowers employees.
- Customer Satisfaction: Prioritising customer satisfaction through excellent service delivery and addressing customer concerns effectively. This includes:
- TSMs (Team Support Managers): Providing ongoing support and guidance to teams.
- Customer Satisfaction Surveys: Regularly gathering and analysing customer feedback.
- Ombudsman Service: Offering an independent and impartial service to resolve customer complaints.
- Community Relations:
- Social Value Activities: Actively engaging in community initiatives, such as Christmas pallet donations and other charitable endeavours.
- Financial Inclusion: Supporting customers facing financial hardship through dedicated Financial Inclusion Officers.
- Community Relations: Building and maintaining strong relationships with local communities.
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Governance
Governance criteria considers our internal practices and procedures, creates transparency and ensures we adhere to industry best practice with factors including:
- Leadership & Governance:
- Board Composition: Ensuring a diverse and skilled board with appropriate expertise.
- Executive Compensation: Fair and transparent remuneration practices aligned with performance and company values.
- Leadership: Strong and ethical leadership demonstrating integrity and commitment to good governance.
- Risk Management & Control:
- Risk Management Framework: A robust system for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks.
- Internal Controls: Effective internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure the accuracy of financial reporting.
- Risk and Audit Committee: An independent committee overseeing risk management and internal audit functions.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Regulator of Social Housing: Adherence to regulatory requirements, particularly G1 and V1 standards.
- NHF Code of Governance: Compliance with the National Housing Federation’s Code of Governance.
- Ethical Conduct:
- Bribery and Corruption: Zero-tolerance for bribery and corruption, with robust anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies in place.
- Social & Ethical Considerations:
- Equality & Diversity: Promoting equality and diversity throughout the organisation.
- Modern Slavery: Adherence to the Modern Slavery Act and commitment to ethical supply chains.
- Real Living Wage Employer: Paying all employees at least the Real Living Wage.
- Staff Wellbeing: Prioritising staff health and wellbeing through initiatives such as health and wellbeing programmes.
- Professional Development: Investing in the professional development of staff.
- Supplier Engagement:
- Approved Supplier Process: A robust process for selecting and managing suppliers.
- Social Value Framework: Integrating social value considerations into all procurement decisions.
- Leadership & Governance:
Our ESG achievements
We are proud to create a real impact for those living within our homes, the wider community, businesses across the region and the economy.
We are dedicated to championing sustainability, promoting eco-friendly practices and minimising our carbon footprint.
Environmental
Energy efficiency
Throughout 2023/24, as part of an
ongoing investment programme at The Sovini Group, we
invested £34.7M to improve our existing
homes and £46.2M into building 185 new
homes to EPC B standard, in line with
our approved development programme.
With the support of our Energy and
Sustainability team, we are continuously
improving energy efficiency across our
communities, installing zero carbon heating
options to improve insulation and reduce
heat loss from our properties.
Carbon emissions
Since 2010/11, we have worked hard to reduce our carbon footprint by 68%. As part of The Sovini Group, we have produced the equivalent to 3.04 CO₂ tonnes per full-time equivalent employee in relation to scope one (direct) and two (indirect) greenhouse gas emissions.
Biodiversity
We have increased green spaces through the creation of community gardens across the North West and have introduced new communal areas for communities to enjoy together through our development programme.
Waste management
We are unwavering in our commitment
to environmental sustainability, diverting
100% of our waste away from landfills.
Group Partner, Sovini Waste Solutions,
provides waste management reports
to customers detailing the percentage
of waste recycled and diverted from
landfill to provide assurance.
All Sovini Group
companies are
registered to ISO 14001
Environmental Management System.
Social
Social value
In 2024/25, we remain committed to creating opportunities and changing lives. We're proud to report that we've supported thousands of customers across our communities, generating a social value of £76m, as calculated by the HACT Social Value Toolkit.
Affordable rent
Our affordable rents are competitive, set at 80% of the typical market rent for the area and property size.
On average, our three-bedroom properties are over 40% cheaper than the market rate and 9.9% lower than the local housing allowance. That means customers benefit from accessible, affordable and quality housing.
Our homes
We are proud of our good quality homes that are safe, well managed and maintained to a high standard. In 2023/34, we invested £33.4 million into repairing and maintaining homes, £13.3 million into improving existing homes and £31.1 million into developing new homes.
Value for Money
Since 2006, we have saved £142 million through efficiencies. In 2023/24, we...
Invested £50.53m in upgrading existing homes, achieved £4m in operational savings, delivered 162 new homes, contributed £76m to our local communities, and secured a 92.8% customer satisfaction rating.
Governance
Our homes
In 2022/23, 100% of our homes met the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and had valid Gas Safety Certificates.
National Housing Federation
We are compliant with the National Housing Federation's adopted 2020 Code of Governance, ensuring transparency and confidence in our activities. Our board has certified compliance for 2023/24.
Management systems
Our management systems are UKAS accredited to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 standards.