Calderdale residents are among 12,000 households across Yorkshire set to make their homes healthier, warmer and cheaper to heat, as a new campaign to make the region’s homes more energy efficient gets underway.
As part of the Better Homes Calderdale scheme, residents will be able to take advantage of heavily subsidised improvement work to their homes, such as insulation and boiler replacements.
Managed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the scheme utilises funding from the Government’s Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) schemes. Better Homes is open to residents who own or privately rent their home.
Better Homes Calderdale forms part of the wider Better Homes Yorkshire scheme, which will see Keepmoat(external link) and Willmott Dixon Energy Services carry out energy improvement work to homes over the next eight years, in partnership with nine local authorities (Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, Barnsley, York, Craven, Harrogate and Selby) and the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
In the first three years alone, the programme aims to deliver energy efficiency measures to over 12,000 homes, and create jobs and apprenticeships for local people. As a result, the programme will bring at least £20m of investment into the Leeds City Region and increase economic growth.
Calderdale Council’s Leader, Cllr Stephen Baines, said:
“We are delighted to be involved in this new scheme. It means we can do even more to help residents save money on their energy bills and live in warmer, healthier homes.
“We know that high energy costs have put pressure on household budgets over the last few years. Better Homes Calderdale will help residents to reduce heat loss from their homes by fitting draught proofing, proper insulation and modern, efficient heating systems.
“This is all part of our priority to reduce carbon emissions and help residents heat their homes affordably. The scheme will also help to reduce the level of cold related ill health for people who are at the greatest risk from living in a cold home.”
At the launch of the scheme, Leader of Bradford Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee, Cllr David Green said:
“This new programme is another great example of the public and private sector working together to deliver further growth for the Leeds City Region and by making it easier for residents to implement these measures in their homes, reflects the LEP, West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s and local authorities’ shared determination to make a real positive difference for local people.
“Reducing fuel poverty and improving health and wellbeing is vital and I am delighted that homes in Bradford, along with other areas in the City Region, will benefit from this scheme.”
Mark Pheasey, Framework Director Better Homes Yorkshire said:
“We are delighted to be launching the Better Homes Yorkshire programme. The scheme will help residents heat their home for less and create greener, healthier communities across the region. This 8 year programme will also bring job, apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people.”
For more information, and to register for the scheme, visit www.betterhomesyorkshire.co.uk(external link) or call 0800 597 1500 or 0113 897 0977 from a mobile.