Post on 19-Feb-2017
County Durham
• 227,000 domestic housing
• 160,000 private and private rented
• 11.4% households in fuel poverty
• Rural West Durham, off gas areas and hard to treat properties
• Up to 35% fuel poverty in rural areas
Health Impacts
• Energy and Fuel Poverty Partnership
• County Durham Affordable Warmth Strategy
• Building Research Establishment
• Health Impact Assessment
• Quantify the effect of poor housing on health linked to Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Data sharing with Durham University
Warm and Healthy Homes • Assistance where health is affected by lack of heating or
hot water
• Improve the health and wellbeing of clients living in a cold, damp home
• Energy efficient central heating systems, insulation measures and support
• Warmer healthier homes, lower fuel bills
• Reduce levels of fuel poverty and Excess Winter Deaths
Households Assisted
•Private and Private Rented Sector
•People over 60 years on a low income
•Families with children on a low income
•Long term sick and disabled people.
•Vulnerable groups i.e aged 85 plus
Training and Referrals • Awareness and briefing sessions for front line
health, social care and partners
• Eligibility, referral process and fuel poverty
• Referral system for front line staff
• Client home visits to discuss assistance
• Measures installed by Warm Up North British Gas in 5 working days
Outcomes • 247 front line staff trained
• 193 referrals received
• 82 households received new central heating systems
• Free insulation measures under Warm Up North
• Fuel tariff advice, fuel switching, benefit maximisation, home fire safety visits
• Evaluation by Sheffield Hallam to measure well-being status
Case study• Mrs Hedley’s gas-fired room heater was condemned
• No heating and could not fund a boiler replacement
• Referral received from Occupational Therapist
• New gas boiler installed by WHH scheme at no cost to Mrs Hunter
• Free loft and CWI insulation via Warm Up North
• Increased income via Disability Living Allowance
• Fire safety check and smoke alarms installed
• Mrs Hedley now has a warm, well insulated home with lower energy bills and an increased weekly income