Local social enterprise chosen to make hundreds of council homes warmer and greener
Supported by funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3), Lewisham Council is investing more than £16 million to improve up to 800 council homes by 2028. Ksquared has been appointed to deliver retrofit assessments, design, and coordination of the programme, which will make homes warmer, more energy-efficient and comfortable year-round.
The programme improves the Council’s social homes through retrofit measures including upgrading insulation and ventilation, switching to low-carbon heating and solar panels, and reducing the amount of energy residents need to buy each year. But retrofit is about more than tackling climate change – it's about improving our residents’ quality of life, reducing fuel poverty and delivering lasting benefits for our communities. The programme prioritises homes that are the coldest, dampest or most expensive to heat.
Founded by Lewisham-born Kasang Kajang, Ksquared brings experience delivering retrofit programmes across London and will support the Council from the initial assessment phase and design, all the way through to delivery and final handover, engaging with residents and offering technical expertise at each stage. Ksquared will work closely with residents to ensure they are well informed and supported throughout the process, helping to make the improvements as seamless and accessible as possible.
The partnership will also deliver wider benefits for the borough, with Ksquared creating two full-time jobs for Lewisham residents, offering local work experience opportunities and providing community engagement activities using the team's professional expertise.
Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Action, said:
“This appointment is a major step forward for this important retrofit programme and we're proud it will be delivered by a highly regarded Lewisham-founded social enterprise. Our common goal of making homes warmer, healthier and more resilient for local people, while reducing our environmental impact and helping safeguard our future – is key to the success of this programme."
Cllr Natalie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Safer Homes, Homelessness and Housing Services, said:
“For our tenants, this is about being more comfortable at home, without worrying as much about what it will cost to keep the heating on. Residents in the first blocks to get the upgrades have already told us they feel protected from rising energy bills, which shows the real difference this work can make. This vital investment also helps us tackle the climate emergency by cutting the environmental impact of our homes and making them fit for the future.”
Kasang Kajang, Founding Director of Ksquared, said:
"This appointment feels particularly special to me. I was born in Lewisham and grew up in the borough, so having the opportunity to bring Ksquared's experience back to the community where my own journey started means a great deal. We're looking forward to working with Lewisham Council, residents and our delivery partners to create warmer, better-performing homes while making sure the benefits of the programme reach the wider community too."