£10M pilot scheme to increase energy efficiency and repair homes

A new fund of £10M will increase energy efficiency and repair homes in Scotland, making them warmer and water-tight.

A new £10M pilot scheme in Glasgow, Argyll and Bute and Perthshire will provide £10M of funding, so that home owners on low incomes can loan up to £40,000 to help them make essential repairs to leaking roofs and building structures. This type of repair is necessary before energy efficiency measures like solid-wall insulation can be installed.

The funding can be used as a single equity loan, or in addition to other existing Scottish Government grants to fund more expensive measures.

The Scottish government has committed half a billion pounds over the next four years to tackling fuel poverty, and improving energy efficiency.

Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart, said: “Making sure everyone has access to a warm and affordable home is a priority for this Government which is why we have committed half a billion pounds over the next four years, meaning over £1Bn by 2021, to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency.

“This will help us make homes warmer and easier to heat, with our record investment already resulting in two fifths of Scottish homes now being in the top three energy efficiency ratings – an increase of 71% since 2010.”

Lori McElroy, Chair of the Existing Homes Alliance, said: “Better insulation for our homes helps to tackle some of Scotland’s most urgent issues: from cutting our energy bills, improving health and quality of life, reducing emissions and pressure on energy supply to boosting employment.

“Given the diverse and sometimes remote housing stock that this country has inherited, achieving these vital objectives will require long-term commitment from the Government and an ability both to innovate and to investigate best practice elsewhere. A mix of solutions will be required including grants, loans, incentives and regulation. From the perspective of the Existing Homes Alliance, today’s announcement is a significant step in the right direction.”

 

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