"Green Homes" Grants For East Sussex

Wednesday, 7 October 2020 11:15

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Home insulation installation (Stock image: © CDP-web / Creative Commons)

£912,714 has been awarded towards a £1.3 million project to improve energy efficiency in 125 homes across East Sussex.

Though the "Green Homes Grant" money is for use throughout the county, one borough, Hastings, is leading and is responsible for delivering the scheme locally.

Council staff said there will be two phases to the scheme.

At first, there'll be a focus on improving properties run by housing association Optivo Homes in Hastings and Rother.

Officials added that they expect the next phase will focus on improving private properties throughout the county through the "Winter Homes Check" service.

The national grant scheme pays up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements up to £5,000.

Then, the local scheme is expected to pay 100% for homeowners on low incomes and up to 50% for landlords.

The council said grants are available to cover green home improvements ranging from insulation of walls, floors and roofs, to the installation of double or triple glazing when replacing single glazing.

Grants also cover low-carbon heating such as heat pumps or solar-thermal systems — measures that are understood to help households save up to £600 a year on energy bills.

The project is a partnership between East Sussex authorities, Optivo Homes, Citizens Advice and RetrofitWorks, who provide the East Sussex Warm Homes Check Service.

At Monday's meeting of the council's cabinet, it was agreed that the council lead the delivery of the project and enter into a partnership agreement with East Sussex County Council and Optivo.

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for housing and homelessness, said

"It is great that we got all the money we bid for, but although nearly £1m sounds a lot, it isn't enough to solve this problem.

"Hastings has high levels of fuel poverty, the highest in the south east, which is a real issue and great concern heading into the winter months.

"Many of us are lucky enough to live in warm homes and not have to make tough decisions about whether to be warm or hungry.

"Unfortunately, not everyone in our town is so lucky.

"Through this scheme homes in the town will benefit from improved energy efficiency which in turn will save these households money every year on their energy bills.

"The council has a commitment, through its climate change motion, for Hastings to be carbon neutral by 2030. One of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the town are poorly insulated properties.

"Improving the energy efficiency of these properties is really important, so this project is a great opportunity for us to make a positive start on this essential work with partners.

"This funding will go some way to addressing fuel poverty and carbon emissions in the town, it is a start but more needs to be done."