The British Gas Energy Trust has awarded almost £400,000 to a group of local charities, led by Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove, to tackle fuel poverty and cold homes in the city.
The award was made after a bid to the trust’s Healthy Homes programme earlier this year with support from Brighton and Hove City Council and the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group.
The grant will fund a package of holistic support to those most at risk from cold homes throughout 2016, including money and housing advice and energy efficiency measures.
Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove chair Jo Newell said: “Fuel poverty is a significant issue in the city and this is a fantastic example of local agencies working collaboratively to support the most vulnerable”
Tracey Hill, lead councillor for private rented housing at the council, said “I’m delighted that the council is involved in this partnership which tackles such an important problem. No one in this city should have to choose between feeding themselves or heating their home.”
Dr Rachel Cottam, from the clinical commissioning group, said “All too often we see people in our surgeries that are experiencing both physical and mental health problems because of cold homes. We all need to work together to come up with solutions and this is a significant step in the right direction”
The work is expected to begin in December 2015 and will target those considered most at risk of cold homes by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Priority groups include: over 65s, people with respiratory and heart conditions, people with severe mental illness and families with children under five.
Anyone who would like advice on money issues can call the local Moneyworks helpline on 0800 988 7037 or search for a local advice agency at www.advicebrighton-hove.org.uk.
Organisations expected to take part in delivery of the Brighton and Hove programme are as follows:
- Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove
- Money Advice Plus
- Brighton Housing Trust
- Age UK Brighton, Hove and Portslade
- British Red Cross
- National Energy Action
- Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative
- Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project
- Hangleton and Knoll Project
- Brighton Women’s Centre
- Brighton and Hove City Council
The Moneyworks helpline is funded by the council and staffed by Money Advice Plus. It is open:
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 3pm
- Wednesday 5pm to 8pm
- Friday 10am to 1pm
Additional opening hours will be provided as a result of this funding from the British Gas Energy Trust.
