14/11/2011
The Warm Homes scheme team visited the Constituency Office of Strangford MP Jim Shannon to provide referral training for office staff.
Warm Homes is a Department for Social Development scheme which is administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and delivered by Bryson Energy in the Ards area. Under the scheme, home owners and private tenants who are on a qualifying benefit or tax credit can have a range of insulation measures installed and, where no oil or gas heating system already exists, a new heating system.
Referral training will enable staff to advise the public on whether or not they would be eligible for Warm Homes and to assist them in submitting online applications.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon spoke of the scheme: “Warm Homes is a very worthwhile scheme, providing vital assistance to the many people in our community who are at risk of fuel poverty. Newtownards is second highest on the list for fuel poverty after Cookstown and as such it is crucial that, as representatives for the area, we are able to provide the information that people need in order to access this service, and I am very pleased that we are now equipped to do so by Bryson Energy. Staff from our Ballynahinch, Ballywalter and Newtownards offices went through the training and I look forward to assisting local householders with their enquiries about the Warm Homes scheme and I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to contact our constituency office, where they will receive help with their application.”
Since the Launch of Warm Homes in July 2009, the Scheme has provided insulation and heating measures to over 750 households in the local area. Louise Magee, Referral Manager with Bryson Energy said, “The training delivered will provide local residents with a valuable Warm Homes information point. If anyone in the area wants to check their eligibility for the Scheme, they can now call into their constituency office where their local representatives will be able to advise them on their eligibility for Warm Homes and assist them in submitting an online application.”
For more information visit www.warm-homes.com or call freephone 0800 988 0559.