From the 1 April over a third of a million pounds will be available to support the council’s new Homes Assistance Policy. Alongside our existing grants the policy introduces a new Thermal Comfort Grant that will be available to people on low incomes to make their homes warmer.
The grant, worth up to £8000, is designed to bring homes up to recommended thermal efficiency levels, and may cover work such as loft insulation, cavity wall and installing central heating. It is part of a comprehensive package for people on low incomes, who do not qualify for help under the Government’s Warm Front Scheme.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, Cabinet member for Community said,
“The recent borough-wide survey of private homes identified excess cold as the main hazard, potentially affecting 4750 homes. The council has a corporate priority to improve the safety and well being of our community and we have allocated £354,000 from our budget this year for our discretionary grant programme, including our new Thermal Comfort Grant. It is being targeted for people who otherwise have no solution."
The council will also be helping those who qualify but cannot benefit from Warm Front, because they cannot afford to pay for any work necessary over and above the maximum grant available. It will be offering a top-up grant to allow the work to be completed.
Details of how to apply for the scheme are on the council website, www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk, or by calling Environmental Health on 01284 757053.
Ends
Issued by sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone: 01284 757033 Email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
