The Adoption of Energy Efficiency Measures in Social Housing: Trends, Benefits, Barriers, and Enablers

Global challenges such as population growth, climate change, and energy sustainability emphasise the urgent need for energy efficiency measures in housing. Social housing, which serves vulnerable populations with limited resources, highlights the importance of these interventions due to cost burdens, health risks, and social disparities. This study investigates the implementation of energy efficiency measures in social housing. by reviewing global trends, benefits, barriers, and enablers. The PRISMA protocol analysed 92 articles published between 2012 and 2025. The study identifies four major domains shaping adoption trends: technology, finance, policy, and social equity. The review outlines several benefits, including reduced energy consumption, enhanced indoor environmental quality, long-term cost savings, and climate mitigation. It also addresses barriers such as high upfront costs, policy fragmentation, and limited tenant engagement. Despite the growing application of energy-efficient technologies, financing and behavioural dynamics remain underexplored. This research calls for further investigation into innovative financial mechanisms, inclusive policy frameworks, and socially responsive approaches to support widespread implementation. Improving buildings and adding energy-efficient systems are crucial for enhancing social housing sustainability, affordability, and resilience.