INtegrated Services for PrIvate Rental housing Energy UpgradeS

ongoing

The INSPIRE-US project tackles the urgent need for decarbonising the building sector, focusing on energy upgrades in Spain's private rented housing. Buildings in Europe account for nearly 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions, with 75% being energy inefficient. The Directive (EU) 2024/1275 aims to double the annual energy renovation rate by 2030, targeting 35 million renovated units and creating significant job opportunities. In Spain, the residential sector's energy efficiency is critically low, with a renovation rate of just 0.2%, far below the EU's required 2-3% per year. Approximately 9.4 million homes need urgent improvements. The Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) aims to renovate 1.2 million homes by 2030, but progress has been slow. The rental housing sector is growing, with 24.9% of households renting in 2023, reflecting a shift from home ownership. A major barrier is the split incentive dilemma, where property owners bear the costs of energy efficiency investments, but tenants benefit from reduced energy costs. This misalignment often results in inaction. Spain also faces a shortage of affordable rental housing, exacerbating the issue. INSPIRE-US proposes a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) to provide integrated services for energy upgrades, offering comprehensive support including information, diagnosis, financing, management of permits and grants, sourcing and contracting suppliers, technical supervision, and post-intervention evaluation. The OSS aims to address the split incentive dilemma and provide holistic support, especially for vulnerable and low-income households. The project will enhance energy efficiency while addressing social aspects such as accessibility, comfort, security, and neighborhood identity. It will be implemented in two phases: initially through three pilots in Madrid and then expanding to ASVAL members across Spain. Specific objectives include developing an integrated solution for rental housing, encouraging energy rehabilitation projects, connecting relevant actors in the value chain, providing best practices to tenants, ensuring energy investment in vulnerable neighborhoods, and creating strong public-private partnerships. INSPIRE-US aims to facilitate energy upgrades in Spain's private rented housing sector, addressing both technical and socio-economic barriers. By providing integrated services and support, the project seeks to enhance energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions, and improve the quality of life for residents, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods.