grants for warm homes

Press Release

20 January 2012

Melton Borough Council been successful in securing £195,000 from the Department of Health to spend on helping vulnerable householders to heat their homes.

The money will be used to fund the Melton ‘Warm Homes 2012’ project to award grants for the provision of full central heating, the replacement or upgrading of an existing inefficient or failing heating system or for  changing to a more efficient form of heating (for example electric to gas, or solid fuel to oil). The Council will also check that sufficient insulation is fitted and that the property is safe and weatherproof.

To qualify the property must be occupied by a vulnerable person or persons (or be likely to be occupied by such persons in the case of an application by a landlord). The definition of vulnerable includes people in receipt of one of the principal means tested or disability related benefits. The grant awarded varies between 0%-100% of the eligible expense. (50% maximum for landlords).

Cllr David Wright, Chair of Community and Social Affairs Committee said

“Melton is the only Borough Council in Leicestershire to have applied for this funding. Leicestershire County Council and its partners have been successful in securing a further £120,000 to help vulnerable people during the winter. The County Council in collaboration with its partners (including Melton Borough Council) will use the funding to ensure older people, young children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable people are safe in their homes during the winter period. Together they will raise awareness of the issues, help to identify those at risk and make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people.”

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