Development of the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy
The Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036: A new fuel poverty strategy for Northern Ireland has been published. Below you will find a brief overview on the development of the strategy.
Background to fuel poverty
In Northern Ireland the Department for Communities leads on fuel poverty, with related policy responsibilities and impacts across a range of government Departments.
The 2011 Fuel Poverty Strategy set out a vision to reduce fuel poverty and improve energy affordability but since then, the policy and regulatory environment has changed substantially, alongside wider external factors including rising fuel prices.
In 2023 a Fuel Poverty and Just Transition Project was established to provide a new long-term framework for addressing fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. This aimed to examine issues relevant to fuel poverty such as its definition, how government supports those living in or at risk of fuel poverty and how it makes sure consumers are protected as the energy system moves away from fossil fuels towards cleaner alternatives.
Fuel poverty levels in Northern Ireland have fluctuated, from 27% in 2001, to 44% in 2009, and 24% in 2021 (the most recent year with official statistics). Living in cold and damp homes impacts health and well-being, particularly for the most vulnerable in our society. The continued high prices of fossil fuels, low standards of energy efficiency in homes and the ongoing cost of living all contribute to unacceptably high levels of fuel poverty.
The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets a target of an at least 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This legislation also sets out the objectives of the just transition principle which include reducing, with a view to eliminating, poverty, inequality and social deprivation.
The new Warm Healthy Homes Strategy is informed by and contributes to many government commitments included in the Programme for Government, Energy Strategy and Housing Supply Strategy. The Department will continue to work collaboratively to implement and monitor the Strategy and ensure alignment with key government priorities throughout its delivery.
High level timeline and progress
The five stages of the development of the Fuel Poverty Strategy (now the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy) are as follows:
| Stage | Timeline |
| Stage 1 - Evidence gathering and design | April - December 2023 |
| Stage 2 - Intensive stakeholder engagement period / data synthesis | January - June 2024 |
| Stage 3 - Triangulation of evidence/policy options | July - November 2024 |
| Stage 4 - Public consultation | December 2024 - March 2025 |
| Stage 5 - Finalisation and approval | March 2025– January 2026 |
Stage One: Evidence gathering and design
This stage consisted of desktop research and engagement with stakeholders in Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions. Stage one also included the establishment of the Fuel Poverty Project Board and Fuel Poverty Reference Panel to draw on their experience, expertise, and knowledge to support and inform the development of the Strategy.
Stage Two: Intensive stakeholder engagement period and data synthesis
This stage consisted of eight workshop events and eight focus groups. The feedback gathered from participants helped guide us in the development of a draft strategy that included the real life experiences of those living in fuel poverty.
You can find an overview of the workshops and the stakeholder engagement report from Stage Two below:
Stage Three: Triangulation of evidence and policy options
At the commencement of Stage Three, we brought together all the insights from Stage Two, including findings from workshops and focus groups to triangulate evidence and policy options for the strategy. We engaged with policy leads across government and made informed policy decisions grounded in this evidence.
Stage Four: Public consultation on the draft strategy
The conclusion of Stage Three enabled us to move into Stage Four - launching a public consultation on the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy. This consultation included questions on the Department’s new fuel poverty energy efficiency support scheme.
This consultation built upon the insights gathered during the pre-consultation engagement with stakeholders from government departments, energy companies, the voluntary and community sectors, and individuals experiencing fuel poverty.
The public consultation ran from 12 December 2024 to 6 March 2025. A total of 84 formal responses via email and Citizens Space. In addition, feedback from consultation events and focus groups allowed us to capture opinions and responses from those living in fuel poverty who may not have responded to a government consultation.
A summary of the consultation responses can be found here.
Stage Five: Finalising the Strategy
The consultation responses informed the final version of the Strategy and influenced its development from the draft stage. Feedback from the Fuel Poverty Project Board helped shape and refine the final strategy with significant collaboration and input from across Government and other statutory bodies.
Equality considerations were embedded throughout its development, and a screening exercise concluded that a full Equality Impact Assessment was not required. This decision was supported by research, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis. A Rural Needs Impact Assessment (RNIA) was also completed, addressing specific challenges faced by rural households and ensuring the Strategy provides a framework that considers rural issues.
You can find a link to the final Warm Healthy Homes Strategy, the Definitions and Methodology paper and Rural Needs Impact Assessment below:
You can find a link to the S75 screening below:
Contact
If you have any queries on the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy, please contact us at fuelpovertystrategy@communities-ni.gov.uk