Embedding Energy Saving Policies in the Dutch Non-profit Housing Sector

Many studies on policy implementation have emphasized the difficulties of putting policies into practice. The paper presents several ways in which Dutch non-profit housing providers incorporate their energy saving policies in their ‘regular’ housing management regarding the existing stock, such as planned preventive maintenance, renovations and other physical improvements. Several housing associations were selected that have formulated an energy saving policy and that have at least some experience in implementing these policies. Interviews were held with managers of asset and maintenance management and with policy staff of housing associations. It is investigated to which extent the policy ambitions, both at the portfolio level and at the project level, are carried out, and in which way these ambitions are embedded in the organisations’ regular working processes. In addition, the main stimuli and barriers for the implementation of the energy saving policies are identified. Special attention has been paid to the feasibility of combinations of energy saving measures with other physical improvements in the housing stock. Results show that the implementation of energy saving policies in annual improvement and maintenance plans is in most cases not problematic, and that the most significant problems arise during the preparation of individual investment projects.