A £3m Affordable Warmth investment programme bringing heating and insulation upgrades to households in the greatest need will be presented to our Cabinet for approval on Wednesday 14 December.
The Affordable Warmth programme will run for three years from 2023 to 2026. It will include new boilers, insulation upgrades, and energy debt relief.
It follows our signing last week of our Affordable Warmth Charter, alongside fellow signatories Berneslai Homes, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Wates. This highlights our commitment with our partners to support people through the cost of living crisis and to continue to provide help to people who need it most.
The funding will be targeted at those on lower income who live in less efficient private sector housing.
It supports our ambitions for a healthy Barnsley where fewer people live in poverty, and for a growing Barnsley where people have a wide choice of quality, affordable and sustainable housing.
Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We believe you should be able to care for you and your family in a house that’s warm and safe. That’s why we’re proposing to spend £3 million of our own money from council reserves to expand the affordable warmth scheme, providing a three-year, sustainable programme with new boilers and upgraded insulation for people who qualify.
“This hugely important investment will make a major difference to those impacted most by the rise in energy costs.
“We know everybody across Barnsley will be feeling the effects of the current cost of living. Advice is available to anyone who is worried about paying their energy bills on our website at barnsley.gov.uk/warmhomes. Here you can also find details about a range of drop-in sessions with the Warm Homes Team across the borough between now and March.”
The Affordable Warmth programme is one of a range of measures supporting people with the cost of living promoted through our More Money in Your Pocket web page at barnsley.gov.uk/MMIYP. You can also find out more about Affordable Warmth at barnsley.gov.uk/warmhomes or by calling the Warm Homes Team on 01226 773366.
