» How will the FREE programme be implemented in Scotland?
Energy Action Scotland has determined that many housing providers find it challenging to know where their least energy-efficient homes are and how to identify them. They also find it difficult to determine what action should be taken at a strategic level to support those areas and communities most at risk of fuel poverty. This is particularly true in rural areas where there is no mains gas.
Energy Action Scotland (EAS) in partnership with Calor is developing a Strategic Affordable Warmth fund. During its first year, this fund will help rural housing associations to:
- map out their stock to identify pockets and areas of high exposure to fuel poverty
- draw up a fuel poverty/affordable warmth strategy
In subsequent years the fund will support implementation of that affordable warmth strategy. For example, it might fund insulation work for residents not eligible for full grant assistance but who are otherwise fuel poor.
The EAS Calor Gas Strategic Affordable Warmth fund is intended to augment and strengthen RSL’s own capital works programmes.
It is open to RSLs who operate in rural Scotland covering the Highlands, Islands, Argyll and Bute and Perthshire. These areas are at a higher risk level for exposure to fuel poverty due to their geography and the number of hard to treat homes.
In the first instance, eligible Housing Associations are invited to submit proposals that would allow the formation of an Affordable Warmth Strategy to target fuel poor households across all tenures, i.e. tenants and or home owners.
The fund at this point is an enabling fund that may be used to undertake sample surveys, employ a consultant or to finance the use of in-house resources to draw up the strategy.
The upper level of the grant is £5,000 and each submission will be considered by a panel of judges who will make the awards. For further information please contact Holly Sims at hsims@calor.co.uk
