At SHIFT Environment, we focus on helping landlords turn sustainability goals into day-to-day practice. We were pleased to contribute to Drova’s Housing Association Outlook Report 2026 [1], which brings together voices from across the sector to reflect on where progress is being made, and where gaps remain. Here’s some words from Drova:
What we’re seeing in practice
Across many organisations, sustainability information is still fragmented: data arrives from different brokers, sits in different systems and is not always consistent. That makes it harder to plan, assure and evidence progress. As SHIFT Environment Managing Director, Richard Lupo notes in the report, a central sustainability database would remove a major barrier to action.
Widening the lens beyond retrofit
Retrofit is essential, but it isn’t the whole picture. Climate risk is already here – heatwaves and floods in the same week are not hypothetical – and boards benefit from looking at adaptation and nature-related risks alongside carbon. Overheating, water stress and biodiversity often receive less attention, yet they shape resilience for homes and communities.
Why this matters for boards
Reliable, decision-useful data supports better choices – about timing, investment and trade-offs – and strengthens assurance and credibility with tenants, lenders and regulators. The Outlook Report underlines the value of connecting sustainability performance with health and wellbeing outcomes, not just compliance metrics. Integrating indicators such as damp and mould complaints or fuel poverty can help organisations see where investment is improving day-to-day life as well as long-term risk.
Explore more in the Outlook Report
Drova’s Housing Association Outlook Report 2026 is a sector snapshot built from conversations with experienced leaders across the UK. It’s designed to reframe challenges into opportunities and forward-facing solutions, and communicate the “why now” to colleagues and stakeholders.
[1] Read the full Housing Association Outlook Report 2026 here: https://www.drova.com/housing-association-outlook-report-2026