Caritas St. Hedwig Housing
Decarbonizing affordable social housing
Caritas St. Hedwig provides long-term housing and care for people with mental health challenges. As a listed historic building, deep renovation of the building envelope is limited, making the decarbonization of heat supply the primary challenge. At the same time, any intervention had to maintain affordability and ensure that housing and energy costs would not increase for residents.
Why this building
The project demonstrates how ambitious climate action can be combined with social responsibility. Caritas St. Hedwig serves vulnerable residents who depend on affordable housing and care services. The project therefore provides an important example of how nonprofit residential care facilities can reduce emissions while protecting affordability and maintaining quality of life.
Frictions encountered
Listed-building status limits conventional retrofit options.
Decarbonization measures must not increase housing costs for residents.
Heat supply must remain reliable for a residential care environment.
Multiple renewable energy technologies need to be integrated into a coherent system.
Climate, social, and economic objectives must be achieved simultaneously.
Measures planned/ implemented
District heating network.
Island-capable local power grid.
Rooftop photovoltaic system.
Battery storage.
Renewable-powered co-generation unit.
Heat pump.
Intelligent renewable energy management.
Co-benefits
The project combines climate protection with social responsibility by reducing emissions without increasing housing costs for residents. Improved energy independence, reliable heat supply, and long-term financial stability strengthen the facility's ability to support vulnerable people well into the future.
