Nottingham City Council, district and borough councils across Nottinghamshire have joined forces to launch their new £4.3m Warm Homes Hub to help residents struggling with their energy bills and household income during the COVID-19 crisis.
Together with charities Nottingham Energy Partnership and Age UK Nottingham, and the energy company E.ON, much-needed help and support will be made available to thousands of households through the Warm Homes Hub over the next two years.
To ease the struggle many households are facing during COVID-19 crisis, Warm Homes Hub is offering a range of immediate support, from fuel and water bill discounts, food and prescription collections to foodbank and fuel vouchers.
The Hub is looking to support many households with professional help to complete benefit checks and applications to increase household income and ease financial pressures.
Grants to replace broken or faulty heating are available, as is practical and tailored energy advice to reduce unnecessary energy consumption, cut bills and ensure homes are kept warm and comfortable. The Hub will be there to help residents living in damp households with insufficient heating.
Residents with long-term illnesses are especially encouraged to get in touch. Recognising how the current situation affects residents’ daily lives, the Warm Homes Hub is making friendly phone calls.
All these services are available during the current COVID-19 crisis.
Looking to the future, the Warm Homes Hub will also be offering free first-time central heating and insulation measures to a limited number of qualifying households. This offer will save families up £4,500 on the installation costs, plus further savings on their heating bill. For peace of mind, residents are encouraged to sign up and be the first in line to get these measures installed when we are able to safely start work in people’s homes.
The Warm Homes Hub project is funded by the £150m Warm Homes Fund, which has been established by National Grid, and is administered by Community Investment Company, Affordable Warmth Solutions, to support local authorities to address some of the issues affecting fuel poor households.
Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of Affordable Warmth Solutions, said: “We are excited about this investment from National Grid and are delighted to support Nottingham City as well as district and borough councils to fund the scheme to address fuel poverty across Nottinghamshire. Solving the issues associated with fuel poverty continues to challenge many of our stakeholders and the feedback we’ve already received provides evidence of how the Warm Homes Fund will make a positive difference to thousands of homes throughout Great Britain.”
Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of the Nottingham City Council and Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Services, said: “The Warm Homes Hub in Nottingham will provide much needed support and advice over the next two years to help households keep their homes warm and healthy.
“It is great to see city partners and the county working together to tackle the challenge of affordable warmth and using funding to assist those in need. The City Council is committed to helping people afford the energy they need, and this project is a welcome step forward to helping us deliver on the aims of our fuel-poverty strategy.”
For COVID-19 Support, call the team directly on 0115 985 3000 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm) or visit www.warmhomeshub.com/covid19 to find out more about the services offered.
For first-time central heating, register your interest online on www.warmhomeshub.com/apply or call the team directly on 0115 985 3000 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm).
Find out more about the Warm Homes Hub scheme on www.warmhomeshub.com