Roeselare starts work on the first energy district: all rental homes must receive energy label A

In concrete terms, this means that the residents of the defined project areas in Het Verzonken Kasteel, Rumbeke, Sint-Jozef and Krottegem can enjoy tailor-made support. In order to accelerate the energetic renovations in the four districts, the City of Roeselare receives support from the European Union through the Stronghouse project†

“By stimulating housing renovation in the neighborhoods, we are also coming a step closer in Roeselare to achieving the climate targets. Buildings are responsible for 40 percent of our CO2 emissions,” says Michèle Hostekint, alderman for Housing, Climate and Sustainability.

Energy District Sunken Castle

For the #VANRSL Energy Districts, the City of Roeselare also developed two specific premiums: the pre-financing of the Flemish renovation premium and the improvement premium for private rental homes. Today the project Energiewijk Sunken Castle in Beveren will be started. Together with all residents, Woonmaatschappij De Mandel and the City of Roeselare want to reduce energy consumption in the district.

For this, the rental properties are energetically renovated, in order to obtain energy label A. This includes solar panels and insulating roofs, insulating exterior walls and garage doors, installing high-efficiency glass, heat pump water heaters and condensing boilers.

The works for the first 70 rental homes are currently being prepared. Renovation of the other rental properties will follow in a second phase. Private owners in the neighborhood can also join the renovation process and thus benefit from the economies of scale that De Mandel negotiated with the contractors.

raising awareness

Attention is also given to sensitizing and coaching residents about their energy consumption. Based on the final electricity and gas bill, tenants can use the Energy Cost Calculator to gain insight into their energy contract. If they wish, they can also join a cheaper energy supplier.

In order to properly inform the residents of the Sunken Castle, De Mandel is temporarily making the house at 70 Jonkersstraat available as a demo house.