Looking forward
As we celebrate 125 years, we also look ahead to the future of Clarion Housing Group. Here, you can gain a glimpse into the plans and ambitions that will shape the next chapter of our journey.
Read thought-provoking articles from our Foresight Group, made up of thought leaders across health, economics, equity, digital, sustainability, regenerative design, architecture, and finance.
Find out how we plan to continue innovating, supporting our residents, and creating a positive impact for generations to come.
Looking to our future
As well as celebrating our 125th anniversary by looking back at our history, we need to cast our eyes forward to look at our future. Where will we be in the next 10, 25, 125 years?
What we are doing
As part of our celebrations and with this in mind, we have established an external Foresight Group. This group is made up of thought leaders across health, economics, equity, digital, sustainability, regenerative design, architecture, and finance.
Their task will be to establish the five giants of the future, using the ideas of the Beveridge Report as inspiration, and bring their unique perspectives to the table to inform this work. We will be asking them: “What are the giants that are likely to impact us in the future and what should be done to address them?”
They will meet at our head office in Greater London House over the coming months to discuss their findings and propose some solutions. We will post a blog summary after each meeting so you can follow along.
Building a greener future: How we are tackling sustainability, fuel poverty, and the housing crisis
At Clarion, we are dedicated to creating sustainable, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes while enhancing community wellbeing and building climate resilience. Our goal is to achieve net-zero carbon, restore nature, and eliminate fuel poverty by 2050, generating over £3bn in social value.
Our sustainability strategy addresses the interconnected challenges of the cost of living, housing, climate, and nature crises, ensuring better outcomes for our residents. Through our Sustainable Homes programme, we are decarbonising homes, eliminating fuel poverty, and reducing risks like overheating. Currently, 75% of our homes meet EPC C or higher, and in 2023/24, we installed nearly 5,000 energy efficiency measures, cutting 2,600 tonnes of CO2.
To combat the housing crisis, we are building new, sustainable homes. In 2023, 47% of our new homes included solar power, and by 2025, all will be fossil fuel-free. Partnering with Octopus Energy and The Hill Group, we are developing 'zero bill' affordable homes in Essex.
Through Clarion Futures, we support residents with job placement, financial guidance, and energy-saving tips. Our Green Employment Pathway provides training for green careers, while warm hubs and community initiatives promote cohesion and resilience.
Sustainability is central to Clarion’s mission, embedded in our DNA as a socially purposed organisation committed to making a lasting impact.
Nature recovery
Biodiversity, the variety of life and essential natural systems that sustain it, is in crisis in the UK, one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. These systems regulate environmental processes, impact air, water, and food, and underpin our economy, culture, and wellbeing.
At Clarion, we recognise our responsibility as a landlord and through Latimer, our development arm, to support nature's recovery across our communities.
Nature is vital for residents, contributing to community wellbeing and placemaking. A Clarion resident shared, “Green spaces induce calmness, reconnect individuals with nature, and enhance mental health, especially for those in cities with limited access to green areas.”
In 2024, we launched our Nature Recovery Strategy, focusing on biodiversity, wellbeing, placemaking, and climate resilience. The strategy prioritises ecosystem services that benefit environmental health and community resilience. Key objectives include delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) exceeding the mandatory 10% for new developments, with an ambitious 20% uplift. For existing neighbourhoods, we aim for a voluntary 10% BNG increase in up to five communities annually.
Through these initiatives, we aim to protect and enhance the natural environment while improving the health and wellbeing of our residents and communities.