believe housing has been recognised for its wholesale commitment to the environment, by being shortlisted for a regional award.

The County Durham-based housing association is in the running for the North East England Chamber Business Awards – Green Business of the Year title, sponsored by Gateshead College.

The housing association hopes to go one better than it did last year, when it was shortlisted in the same category by the North East England Chamber of Commerce.

Though it missed out on the green award in 2021, believe housing was awarded the prestigious Chamber Partner and Presidents Club Business of the Year, sponsored by law firm and Level Up partner Womble Bond Dickinson.

The win recognised believe housing’s green plan and environmental pledge, the positive working culture it promotes and its support for staff and customers particularly during the Covid pandemic.

The Northern Echo: Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of believe housing Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of believe housing (Image: believe housing)

Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of believe housing, said: “It is wonderful to be shortlisted for the green business award for a second year running.

“We have made a series of commitments to reduce our impact on the environment and are constantly looking for ways to go further.

“The significant steps we are taking to reduce the organisation’s impact on the planet are also empowering our staff and benefitting our customers, who are always at the heart of everything we do.”

In 2021 believe housing achieved net zero for its business activities and became the first housing association to achieve the Carbon Neutral International Standard and the United Nations Climate Neutral Now initiative participation.

The Northern Echo:

As one of the largest social housing providers in the north east, with more than 18,000 homes, believe housing recognises the significant role it plays in reducing household emissions and tackling climate change.

It is investing millions of pounds, including £3.4m secured from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund as part of a Durham County Council-led consortium, to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes.

This will make properties more environmentally friendly, make them feel warmer and reduce energy bills to benefit customers’ finances and overall wellbeing.

The association also continues to develop its Future Homes strategy to consider how the homes of the future will meet the needs of customers, what materials they will be made of and possible alternatives to gas.

A new hire contract for believe housing’s frontline fleet will see electric vehicles introduced, to reduce its transport carbon footprint and lower harmful emissions.

Even before the Covid pandemic, the housing association had moved to an agile way of working which has led to a reduction in mileage.

Staff are encouraged to adopt responsible habits such as using digital over print and recycling in the office and voluntary activities have included litter picks, tree planting and wildlife habitat creation in its neighbourhoods.

On Earth Day 2022, believe housing paid for a native tree to be planted on behalf of each of its 568 employees as part of the North East Community Forest. A staff and community allotment is also being developed, near its office in Seaham.

Believe housing has an extensive community investment programme and one of its key themes is to support 'a greener, fairer future: by reducing, reusing and recycling'.

This has resulted in tens of thousands of pounds in grants being awarded to environmental initiatives, from community gardens to a food recycling and redistribution centre.

The Northern Echo: Andrea Baxter, Environmental Manager at believe housing Andrea Baxter, Environmental Manager at believe housing

Andrea Baxter, Environmental Manager at believe housing, said: “As a large housing association we know we have a responsibility and opportunities to help tackle climate change.

“This ranges from reducing the environmental impact of our business activities and housing to helping customers and staff make informed decisions that fit into their own lives.

“Thinking about the planet also supports our core value to do the right thing for our customers, our people and our business.” 

The awards will take place at Sage Gateshead, on Thursday 14 July 2022.

The winners of eight national categories, including the Green Business of the Year, will get an automatic finalist position at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards in October.