One-Stop-Shops as an emergent model to manage housing energy retrofit in Spain

Abstract

Despite the relevant benefits of energy retrofit the housing renovation rate is worryingly low, since the barriers faced by households are impassable. Perhaps, it has been assumed that households are in a position to carry out a complex process requiring knowledge regarding technical, financial and managing issues. So, in the international arena have recently appeared One-Stop-Shops (OSS) to provide integrative assistance for housing retrofit. This paper explores the Spanish pioneering experiences by means of a documental analysis and in-depth interviews. Results highlights the relevant role played by public administrations and the European projects as a source of funding and specialist knowledge; as well as the barriers surpassed and those pending of solution. These initiatives are foreseen as key instruments to manage the funding from Next Generation European Union (EU).