Hundreds of fuel poor and vulnerable households in East Northamptonshire across the county are set to receive a helping hand to reduce their energy bills and the Warm Homes Fund.
East Northamptonshire Council, on behalf of the Northants Warm Homes partnership, has secured nearly £4 million to provide fully-funded central heating for homes that don’t already have it. The money will be matched by other grant monies and by contributions from landlords and local authorities to ensure that eligible homes won’t need to pay a penny.
Those households eligible for the Warm Homes Fund are those most in need of support, including people on a low income that have high energy bills, and who are vulnerable to the cold because of health conditions. Both owner-occupiers and private tenants can apply, and tenants will need the permission of their landlord.
Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Steven North, said:
“With the colder months just around the corner, we are proud to be part of a scheme that will help residents across East Northamptonshire stay warm. This initiative is a perfect example of public and private sector agencies coming together to make a real difference to people’s lives.
We have already heard stories of how the Warm Homes Fund has helped people and hope that there will be similar successes in our District. I encourage everyone to find out more about the scheme and check to see if they are eligible.”
The Warm Homes Fund scheme will run until 2021 and fit efficient gas central heating in around 1400 fuel-poor homes across Northants, and is being run by Surefire Management Services (SMS) on behalf of all the local authorities. Nationally, the Warm Homes Fund has been established by National Grid and is administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions.
Gearoid Lane, Director of SMS said:
“We are delighted to be working with East Northamptonshire Council and other partners to deliver fully-funded central heating to homes in Northants. In the many areas across Britain where the fund is already operating, residents have been very positive about the support they have received. It will make a huge difference in helping people on low incomes to heat their homes effectively.”
Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of Affordable Warmth Solutions, said:
“We are excited about this investment from National Grid and are delighted to support East Northamptonshire Council to fund the scheme to address fuel poverty across Northants Warm Homes partnership. Solving the issues associated with Fuel Poverty continues to challenge many of our stakeholders and the feedback we’ve already received provides evidence of how the Warm Homes Fund will make a positive difference to thousands of homes throughout Great Britain.”
All support through the Warm Homes Fund scheme is subject to the eligibility criteria. To find out more go to www.northantswarmhomes.com or call freephone 0800 038 5737. All visits will be by appointment only and assessors will carry photo ID.
