Walsall Council, in partnership with WATMOS Community Homes, has been successful in its bid for grant funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation fund, and received one of largest allocations of energy grant funding awarded in the country.
The fund, administered by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is designed to improve the energy performance of Social rented homes, and aims to deliver, warm, energy efficient homes, reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills, tackle fuel poverty and support green jobs.
A total of £7,923,914 funding has been approved and will be used to improve the energy efficiency to 858 hard-to-treat homes located in the following three WATMOS housing areas of Burrowes, Sandbank and Chuckery and will include a number of high rise properties with the work improving the energy rating of these properties.
The total cost of the improvement works will come to £15,579,852 which will include the installation of external wall insulation, new windows and works to upgrade the balconies. £7,923,614 of this cost will be funded using the grant with the remainder of the cost to be met by WATMOS. The new decorative render will also make a major change to the appearance of the blocks and modernise their look.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader, Walsall Council said, “ I am delighted that Walsall will be receiving this funding. This bid was part of the first wave of the £950 Million government funding that has been made available. We are keen to work with our other housing providers to obtain additional funding when this is made available. The funding will help people who are most vulnerable to fuel poverty and on low incomes with upgrades helping to reducing their bills and making warmth affordable.”
Jason Holder, Executive Director of Asset Management & Regeneration, WATMOS said, “We are delighted to be able to announce the upgrade of some of our most energy inefficient properties in the Borough. This initiative will make customers’ homes warmer and will allow them to save money on heating bills. Working with our contractor, Soltherm, it confirms our commitment to create sustainable homes and reduce fuel poverty.”
