Council partnership aims to keep vulnerable residents from fuel poverty



Issued by City of York Council

City of York Council, in partnership with Age UK York and Yorkshire Energy Partnership, is offering vulnerable or low income households across the city a free Home Energy Audit – especially valuable in this cold weather.

A successful bid to the Warm Homes Healthy People fund is helping tackle fuel poverty through the council’s Warmer Winter projects which aims to keep homes warm and dry and to enable older residents, in particular, to remain mobile in their home.

This support includes assessing how the most vulnerable residents can be supported to keep warm and healthy while giving them tailored advice about practical measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation.

The scheme can signpost residents to grants for new boilers and loans for repairs. Through Age UK York, emergency heaters can be loaned out and “warm packs” given to eligible residents if their heating systems fail. These packs include vacuum flasks, torches, fleece blankets, hats and gloves as well as shoe grippers for icy conditions.

Age UK also offers an emergency service for shopping and prescription collection, general monitoring and support to engage the services of approved plumbers too.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services said: “There are many residents in York who can benefit from this scheme which plays a vital role it plays in keeping people safe and warm in their homes, reducing fuel poverty and, in turn, ill health. We intend to ensure that as many vulnerable people as possible can benefit from it.

“To be able to apply, the household – which can own their home or live in private rented accommodation – must have someone who gets the state pension, who is disabled or who has children aged under the age of five, living in cold damp homes.

“The scheme supports council staff and other organisations which have daily contact with, or visit people in their own homes to refer customers to the scheme for help.”

Older people or their friends and family can telephone Age UK York’s FIRSTCALL50 service for advice and help on 01904 634061.

Anyone who might benefit from this scheme or could do with some extra help this winter can contact Denise Hall of the Yorkshire Energy Partnership on 01904 545020 or email [email protected].



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