Promoting affordable, inclusive and climate neutral housing 

The Union of Homeowners Associations (CAC) is a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting affordable, inclusive, climate-neutral housing and supporting the efforts of homeowners and other key actors to achieve a high-quality living environment. The organisation was founded in 2006 with the kind support of the MATRA Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs designed to help strengthen civil society organisations, democracy and the rule of law. CAC Centre for Sustainable Housing is the research hub that aims to support the urban housing management and renovation process through a suite of consulting services, knowledge transfer and training programmes addressing the quality and sustainability of the built environment. It has a particular focus on improving energy performance and alleviating energy poverty during the entire building lifecycle. CAC Center for Sustainable Housing maintains a strong research platform and network of housing professionals and energy efficiency experts specialised in providing guidance and expertise in analysing end user behaviour and empowering homeowners to take on an active role in the complex process of managing and renovating homes in an affordable and sustainable way as part of the clean energy transition. CAC Center for Sustainable Housing aims to help cultivate the ability of residents to identify with the place in the wider context of achieving a high-performing and healthy built environment which is of paramount importance to people and planet alike.

Reducing local energy poverty by engaging the population in the transition to a greener future

CAC Centre for Sustainable Housing is involved in the implementation of the JUSTEM Project funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission. JUSTEM starts at a critical time: although renewables could bring important cost savings and net social gains, some EU member states are calling for a smoother phase-out of coal to compensate for the shortage of fossil gas (and high energy prices). However, only clean energy can maintain a safer climate and end the crises: renewable energy lower energy prices and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and more efficient households reduce the risk of energy poverty.​ Following a double-sided approach, JUSTEM will help regional authorities to develop and implement plans that are sensitive to local impacts, while engaging citizens and build confidence in a coal-free economy.JUSTEM comes at the right time against a backdrop of turbulence in the just energy transition process in Europe. The project will become a living lab for the implementation of sustainable approaches to empower citizens from the coal regions to actively participate in the ongoing accelerated transformations and strategies for energy poverty alleviation.