Stevenage Borough Council awarded funds to upgrade local homes

The first is dedicated to helping retrofit council housing stock and the second for private sector owned and rented accommodation. A range of energy-saving improvements will be offered including insulation upgrades, low-carbon heating systems, solar panels, and ventilation enhancements. These works will focus on homes that are hard to heat - especially for low-income households or those experiencing fuel poverty.

Warm Homes: Local Grants Fund – (privately owned and rented homes)

£1.5m has been secured through the Warm Homes Local Grants Fund. Eligible households can receive up to £30,000 of fully funded (free) energy-saving home improvements. The council is partnering with the National Energy Foundation to deliver the grants to eligible local residents.

Homeowners and tenants in privately rented accommodation can apply for this funding if they live in a property with a low energy efficiency rating (EPC ratings of D, E, F or G) and meet any of the following criteria:

• A household income of £36,000 per year or less
• A person in the household receives means-tested benefits
• The property is situated in an area with elevated levels of economic need.

Find out if you’re eligible by completing the Better Housing Better Health form.

 You can also contact the National Energy Foundation free on 0800 107 0044 or by emailing bhbh@nef.org.uk.

Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3) - (Stevenage Borough Council housing stock)

Our Wave 2 council housing investment programme is now coming to a close, resulting in 237 council properties being upgraded.

The new Wave 3 grant funding will start soon with a further £3.85m being secured to help us continue to retrofit council housing stock. Upgrading the energy efficiency of a further 379 council owned homes with measures such as;

• cavity wall insulation,
• loft insulation,
• external wall insulation,
• solar panels,
• ventilation and
• heat pumps.

This will bring properties up to an EPC rating of C or above.

The council will also invest £3.15m, increasing the fund to £7m.

Please Note:

The council will contact you directly if your council home is eligible for these upgrades.

This significant investment will enable the council to continue our mission of upgrading social housing, ensuring homes are warmer, more energy efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

Find out more about the Warm Homes Social Fund

Councillor Rob Broom, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change said:

“Since the announcement of the climate emergency in 2019 we have been working hard to support local businesses and residents in Stevenage to minimise their carbon footprint, sharing useful information where possible, and helping them to make buildings more sustainable and live greener lifestyles where possible.

“These grants are a huge step forward and will enable local homeowners, private and council tenants to have more energy efficient homes saving money in the longer-term. Funding opportunities for those most in need are essential in the current climate, given the increased cost-of-living and this will help those facing higher fuel bills.”