£5.4m to Cut Carbon from Council Homes

The Council has secured another £5.4m in funding to help cut carbon in South Tyneside.

The Green Homes Grant (GHG) funding will be used to upgrade council housing stock through a range of energy improvement and de-carbonisation measures. The improvements will help residents with their fuel bills and help reduce fuel poverty in the borough.

The funding, which has been secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), will target 1,570 households. Work will include:

• Replacement of UPVC Windows with Triple glazing
• Replacement of failed roofs with Solar Roofs
• Cavity Wall installations
• Loft Insulation

The council will also use this funding to gain a better understanding of the energy rating of its homes through assessments and additional monitoring equipment to measure energy use.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council said: "Following on from the funding we secured to decarbonise council buildings, I am delighted that we have been able to secure further funding to upgrade council homes.

"Not only will these improvements help the Borough's overall carbon footprint, they will have a direct positive impact for those living in the properties.

"Wherever possible the property upgrades will look to develop additional green jobs locally by using local companies for both materials and insulation.

"As a council we are fully committed to driving forward projects that reduce our own carbon footprint and that of our residents. This funding will save households money; cut carbon; and create green jobs."

The whole scheme will look to spend £8.8M, with £5.4M funded through central government grant and the rest covered by the Housing Revenue Account Capital Budget.

This is one of a series of funding opportunities released by central government in reducing carbon emissions from both residential and non-residential buildings.

The funding secured by the council is for council housing stock. The Government have a scheme in place for homeowners, who can apply for a grant of up to £10,000 towards the cost of making homes more energy efficient. More information can be found at GOV.UK: Redeem a Green Homes Grant voucher.