THE AWARD-WINNING Warm Homes Oldham scheme will continue for a third year, Oldham Council and its partners are pleased to announce.
This means even more residents can be helped out of fuel poverty in addition to the 1,900 people who have benefited during the two years so far.
The initiative, funded by the local authority, Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group and Oldham Housing Investment Partnership, is delivered by housing and regeneration specialists Keepmoat.
The support available includes energy efficiency and bill advice, grants for heating upgrades and insulation, helping people clear their fuel debt, helping residents switch energy providers and providing emergency heating.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “We’ve been able to help to reduce the number of residents who have been living in cold homes with outdated heating systems by utilising our partnership funding.
“This funding then brought in more than £1.2 million of utility funding grants from energy firm EDF during the first year.
“The results of these interventions have seen not only a welcome improvement in residents’ health and wellbeing but also a significant reduction in their fuel bills.
“The scheme is a good example of how we are working co-operatively with our partners not only quality assured property improvements, but also useful advice and practical help with other things such as dealing with fuel debt and benefits advice.”
Denis Gizzi, Managing Director, NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, said:“ We are proud and excited to be involved in such an innovative scheme which is reducing the number of Oldham residents currently living in fuel poverty, improving their health and increasing their awareness and access to the right health and social care services.
“There can be serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of those living in fuel poverty in the winter, particularly the elderly, vulnerable, people with long term conditions and people living with a disability.
“If we can help to avoid this by addressing fuel poverty and promoting the Warm Homes Oldham scheme to people in those vulnerable groups then we’re doing the right thing – not just economically but from a quality of life perspective too.”
Residents can arrange for a home visit to assess how the team can help by calling 0800 019 1084 or by going to www.warmhomesoldham.org There is no qualifying criteria.
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