York homes to get a HUG from new £1m funding

City of York Council has been awarded a further £1 million of funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes in York, leading to lower fuel bills and improved comfort.

Some 60 private sector homes will receive extra cavity wall insulation, draft proofing, attic or loft insulation, while 110 council homes will benefit from additional energy efficiency measures.

To qualify for the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), homeowners or private tenants need to have a household income of less than £30,000 per year and have a property with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G. Some EPC D rates may be eligible.

Of the £1m, £550,000 will go towards improving council homes with additional energy efficiency measures and solar PV panels installed on roofs lowering electricity bills for tenants.

The remainder will be used to improve energy efficiency in 60 private rented/owner-occupier homes through the Home Upgrade Grant. This provides insulation grants for lower-income homeowners and private landlords with lower-income tenants.

They can apply for insulation for attic rooms, cavity walls and loft insulation, as well as draught-proofing. The funding has been secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Local Authority Delivery Funding. The project is being delivered in partnership with Better Homes Yorkshire, Eclipse Energy and Heat Insulation.

Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer communities at City of York Council, said:

‘This is an important step forward in our efforts to improve the energy efficiency of some of the city’s lowest-rated homes, helping to reduce energy bills whilst improving comfort for residents and reducing carbon emissions.

‘The energy efficiency measures are predicted to save in excess of 1,000 tonnes of CO2 over 20 years. This additional funding will also help us build up our local energy efficiency programmes, working with contractors and suppliers.

‘I would urge all those eligible for this support to apply as soon as possible.’

If you are a homeowner, private tenant or landlord, find out more about the scheme, to see if you’re eligible and to apply, please contact Better Homes Yorkshire on 0800 597 1500 or email betterhomes@york.gov.uk. For more about energy-efficient schemes visit Home Upgrade Grant.

Photo Credit – Toa Heftiba