Conservative Run Council Secures Warm Homes Grant Funds

Conservative controlled Lichfield District Council is celebrating after its funding bids for around £170,000 to tackle fuel poverty were successful.

The local authority has been awarded almost £30,000 by the Department of Health through its Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund.  On top of this, it will receive nearly £140,000 from the Department of Environment & Climate Change through its Fuel Poverty and Green Deal Pioneer Places funds.

Working in partnership, the council will spend the money on a number of projects to improve the energy efficiency of local homes, and to prepare for the government’s flagship Green Deal project, which launches later this month.

The Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund was set up to support the most vulnerable people in communities from the effects of severe winter weather due to cold housing.  Thanks to the funding, local vulnerable people will be able to apply for Emergency Heating Grants to repair or replace their broken heating systems.

The Emergency Heating Grants are available for Lichfield District residents that fulfil one or more of the below criteria:

Over 65 years of age Suffer from a health condition exacerbated by the cold On benefits

The grants do not have to be paid back and will cover all the costs of the work, which could include installing a new boiler.

Cllr Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Environmental Protection, said, “It is great news that we have secured this funding as it will mean we can help many of our most vulnerable residents to afford to keep their homes warm.  The funding must be used by the end of March 2013, so if your heating is faulty, please contact our energy advice line to apply for an Emergency Heating Grant as soon as possible.”

The Warm Homes, Healthy People funding will also provide winter technicians that can do lots of free jobs around the homes of vulnerable residents, as well as Home Energy Advice Visits and benefit entitlement checks.

Possible jobs include, winter home safety checks, gritting paths, installing grab rails, resetting heating controls, supplying and fitting key safes, checking energy tariffs, delivering temporary heaters and more.

Cllr Pritchard added, “If you are struggling in your home this winter, call our energy advice line to see if we can help you to make your home warmer and safer.”

To find out if you are eligible for an Emergency Heating Grant, the services of a winter technician or a Home Energy Advice Visit, please call Lichfield District Council’s energy advice line for free on 0800 677 1543.