£3 million cosier this winter

Low income families and the elderly are getting record levels of grants to keep their homes warm this winter.

Over 2011 low income householders in the borough have successfully applied for £3 million in grants over the last year to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient.

Rochdale Council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee said: “With winter just around the corner, high heating bills and low incomes hit the vulnerable the hardest. I’m delighted that the Council’s support for the Warm Front Scheme has seen grants in the borough reach record levels.

“To anyone worried about keeping their home warm I’d say – pick up the phone and ask for help before you reach for the dial and turn down the heat.”

The Warm Front Scheme can provide a package of insulation and heating improvements up to the value of £6000 depending on the type of heating improvement. The scheme has helped over 51,000 households in the North West in 2008-9.

In the next few weeks, the Council plans to write to over 15,000 low income households in the borough to encourage them to apply for a grant for better insulation and heating.

For more information and advice about the Warm Front Scheme freephone 0800 316 6011.