First Choice Homes Oldham achieves SHIFT gold status for work to make homes, communities and business greener

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has been honoured with a prestigious national award in recognition of its work to make its properties, communities and businesses even greener.

The annual independent SHIFT assessment has awarded FCHO gold status for 2025 up from its silver award in 2024. The accolade puts FCHO in the green top 15 per cent of social housing providers. 

SHIFT - standing for Sustainability Homes Index for Tomorrow - assesses organisations against a series of targets including carbon emissions, energy and water use, waste recycling, and how ethically it procures goods and services.   

“SHIFT is an important indicator of how well FCHO is doing on its sustainability journey as we look to become net zero,” said FCHO sustainability manager, Olivia Greenhalgh. 

“The gold status is a big leap forward for us and shows just how much work is happening across the business to make a difference to the environment. 

“For example, work is continuing to retrofit homes in communities across Oldham with new insulation, heating and windows and doors as we look to 100 per cent of our homes having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 'C' rating by the start of the next decade." 

She added: “There is more to do and this year we will be looking to follow the report’s recommendations, improve our score, and become one of the very best housing associations in the UK for sustainability.” 

Key FCHO gold standard achievements include: further reductions in energy usage, grey fleet mileage and water use.  

A huge increase in biodiversity value following initiatives such as planting wildflowers, trees and managing mowing to help wildlife. 

And evidence 100 per cent of FCHO’s office, maintenance and repairs waste is diverted from landfill. 

Areas for improvement include continuing to improve the energy efficiency of its homes, providing further sustainable transport facilities such as EV chargers and cycle storage, and increased engagement with customers on bulky waste to help reduce fly tipping and increase recycling.