Derby is in line for a £3 million housing boost to help dozens of vulnerable and low-income households get cheaper energy bills – but concerns have been raised that some may miss out on help.
Derby City Council is set to make a bid for Government cash which would fund vital work to upgrade some of the city’s worst privately-owned homes in terms of energy efficiency.
Dozens of homes across the city are set for vital upgrades but there is a strict criteria in place for which properties can be upgraded. Households with an annual gross income below £36,000 could benefit from a Warm Homes Local Grant in what is expected to be a £3.28m cash pot awarded to the council.
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The money will allow residents to receive grants for energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating to households “living in the worst quality, privately-owned homes”. Work carried out could include external and internal wall insulation as well as double/triple glazing to achieve energy bill savings and carbon savings.
A cabinet meeting is to be held on Wednesday (January 8) where leading Labour councillors are set to approve a bid being made and, in advance, the acceptance of funding of just over £3m.
The aim of the bid is to improve as many fuel-poor homes as possible in Derby so they have an energy efficiency rating of Band C by 2030. Doing so could provide households with “significant annual energy bill savings” for good.
The council says consultation with eligible households will be carried out following bid acceptance. But there is concern that many households could miss out which require support.
This is due to the criteria placed on which households can receive support, which is set by the Government and not Derby City Council. Information states households must be in deprived areas and have an income below £36,000. A list of eligible postcodes is on the Government’s website.
Councillor Lucy Care said at an executive scrutiny meeting on Monday, January 6 she was concerned people across the city could miss out. She said: “It concerns me that if you are living in a poorly insulated house as a low-income household in what is otherwise a more affluent area, you will not be eligible to receive any support.
“That, these days, may include people who are in an ex council house which has not yet been improved. (But) because the council houses around you have been improved they are therefore no longer within the most deprived areas.”
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Councillor Chris Poulter said he too was concerned there was not enough incentive for landlords to take up the grants. He said: “The problem is we could push as much as we like but is not something we (councillors) can affect. If we accept the funding, we accept the property eligibilities. We may need to take it up with the Government.”
A council report says the maximum grant per property will be sufficient to meet the full cost of the works and will not require any additional funding from the council.
Derby City Council has previously upgraded dozens of council homes in a similar way across the city. Around 80 homes were improved as part of a £3 million project. But this work will be tailored for private-sector properties.
The report said: “The council are already in delivery mode, on several government fuel poverty schemes, therefore this scheme will be an extension to work already ongoing. It will offer the council the opportunity to return to households that have not aligned with current grant conditions, giving the council a greater chance to reduce fuel poverty in their areas.”
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