Change in delivery of the Affordable Warmth Scheme

The Department for Communities has announced changes to the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

From September, the Affordable Warmth Scheme will be based on an applications-based process and will be delivered solely by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

The scheme up to this point has been administered on a partnership basis between NIHE and local Councils using a mix of self and targeted referrals.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme is aimed at homeowners and private renters most likely to be in severe to extreme fuel poverty and offers a grant of up to £7,500 (£10,000 for solid wall measures) to improve the thermal efficiency of their homes through a range of insulation and heating measures. 

Further details on how to access the scheme from 1 September will be published later this summer.

Free comprehensive advice and support on how to save energy in the home and eligibility for help to improve energy efficiency on assistance is available from the NI Energy Advice Line Service on 0800 111 44 55.

Notes to editors: 

1. Fuel Poverty is defined as needing to spend more than 10% of the total household income on all fuel use to maintain a satisfactory level of heating, that is, 21ºC in the living room and 18ºC in other occupied rooms. It is generally caused by a combination of three factors: poor household energy efficiency; low income; and fuel costs.
2. An Equality Impact Assessment on the DfC budget, which references the Affordable Warmth Scheme, is ongoing and can be accessed on the DfC website.
3. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on email.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow us on twitter @CommunitiesNI

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