Warm Healthy Homes 2026-2036: A new Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities Minister announced the launch of the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026–2036 on 5 February 2026. This Executive strategy sets out a 10-year framework to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy wellbeing across Northern Ireland.
Introduction
The Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026 – 2036: A new fuel poverty strategy for Northern Ireland, provides a long-term framework for addressing fuel poverty to ensure that everyone can live in a warm, healthy home. This strategy is not just about reducing energy bills, it is about improving health, enhancing wellbeing, and supporting a fair transition to a low-carbon future.
Please find a copy of the strategy below
Information on the development on the Strategy is available below
Why a Fuel Poverty Strategy matters
Fuel poverty is more than an economic issue; it is a public health concern. Cold, damp homes increase the risk of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems.
The strategy recognises that tackling fuel poverty requires long-term, sustainable solutions. It focuses on improving housing standards, increasing investment in energy efficiency, and ensuring that vulnerable households are not left behind during the transition to cleaner energy.
Our Vision and Principles
The vision is clear: a warm, healthy home for everyone. To achieve this, the strategy is guided by four principles:
- Long-term solutions that address root causes rather than short-term fixes.
- Needs-based support that prioritises those most at risk.
- Collaboration across government, communities, and industry.
- Participation, empowering people and communities to engage in and shape solutions to their energy needs.
Key themes of the Strategy
The strategy focuses on three key themes:
- Make homes more energy efficient – raising housing standards and investing in retrofit measures for low-income, vulnerable households.
- Protect consumers – ensuring affordability, robust protections, and quality standards for energy efficiency and heating measures.
- Build capacity through collaboration – improving access to trusted advice and support through partnerships and community engagement.
It is supported by a strong evidence base and informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, including health professionals, community organisations, people who live in fuel poverty and energy experts. The strategy recognises that fuel poverty is complex, driven by factors such as housing quality, energy costs, access to information and advice and household income, and requires a whole-system approach.
Governance
Delivery will be underpinned by:
- Annual progress reports and a Ministerial Statement on fuel poverty.
- A new Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel.
- Enhanced monitoring using a basket of indicators on health, energy costs, and housing conditions.
The Department for Communities will lead implementation, working collaboratively across government and with partners. A first action plan will follow publication of the strategy.
Support for households
Practical support remains important for the strategy. Ongoing programmes will continue to help improve home energy efficiency, while emergency financial assistance remains available for households in need. Advice services, including the NI Energy Advice Service offers free, impartial advice to households in Northern Ireland on saving energy and accessing grants.
For more information on available support please see below
Contact
If you have any queries on the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy, please contact us at fuelpovertystrategy@communities-ni.gov.uk