Warm and Healthy Homes Award from National Energy Action 12th February 2016 Cliff Duff - Housing Project Manager Sue Carr – Housing Regeneration Officer

Cold Related Ill Health Cold weather has a direct effect on heart attacks, strokes, respiratory disease, flu, falls injuries and hypothermia Overall, the death rate in the UK is higher during winter months In County Durham the number of excess winter deaths was 944, at an average of 315 per year (2010-2013) These households are living in cold damp homes resulting in potential health problems

Mapping Excess Cold Information used in the JSNA

Fuel Poverty Average energy bill is now £1,300 Approximately 11.5% of households in County Durham are in fuel poverty Energy inefficient housing and high energy bills In rural West Durham this increases to over 25% in off gas grid communities High energy costs and hard to treat housing

Fuel Poverty in County Durham Information used in the JSNA

Warm and Healthy Homes project The Warm and Healthy Homes project is a Public Health commissioned service Launched in 2014/15 to address exposure to both excess winter death and decrease hospital admissions It is delivered by the Housing Regeneration Team Aims to provide warmer homes and lower energy bills Funding from DECC Health Booster fund

Warm and Healthy Homes Project Project is currently in its second year Target audience are households with a health condition relating to living in cold damp private sector home Installing domestic energy efficiency measures resulting in warmer homes, manage fuel debt and assisting in reducing cold related illnesses To date 193 referrals received, 82 households received new central heating systems, 32 income maximisation support and 31 fire safety checks

Referral Process Briefing sessions for front line health and social care practitioners and partners i.e. Age UK (Co Durham) Partner organizations make referrals for their client/patients Home visit assessments by DCC Technical survey by Warm Up North contractor (Hoton Heating) Installation of measures in 5 working days

Countywide Assistance

Case Study

Warm and Healthy Homes Project Mrs J’s gas fired central heating was condemned Referral received from Occupational Therapist due to severe health condition New gas boiler installed through the project Free loft and CWI insulation installed through the Warm Up North scheme Increased income via Disability Living Allowance Fire safety check and smoke alarms installed via Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service Mrs J now has a warm, well insulated home with lower energy bills and an increased weekly income

Client Feedback “Made a big impact on my well being, health and everyday living. Great catalyst for change for other things in his life (family didn't come to the property previously)” “Everything about the scheme was fantastic. Myself and daughter feel a lot healthier” “First class; Everything is now perfect; My how is warm and I can use my bedrooms; I don’t have to sleep in the living room anymore” “ “Scheme was brilliant and house is very warm” “Work was fantastic and exceptional; it is a tremendous help to keep me and my home warm” “Fantastic scheme; Great I can’t complement the scheme and work enough; Top Class scheme” “Can’t speak highly enough about it; I’m now much warmer; I’m not worried about the cold weather now” “Brilliant all round; I’m so grateful; I don’t know how to thank you enough; I was worried about the winter but I’m not worried now” “Very satisfied, warm as toast; Fantastic; Can’t believe the difference as the house is very warm and cosy; The scheme is a great idea; cant thank you enough; it’s a load off my mind; confident we can now be warm over the winter” “Brilliant. The healthy homes scheme has helped me stay warmer and healthier”

Central Heating Fund Free central heating systems for County Durham residents Households earning less that £26,000 No central heating, partial (solid Fuel) heating of electric heating £6.5m from Department of Energy and Climate Change as part of Warm up North partnership 1,313 new gas central heating systems 250 new oil central heating systems in off gas areas 426 new Air Source Heat Pumps in off gas areas Improved joint working with health providers and partners Improved targeting of fuel poor households and reductions in cold related ill health Contact Warm Up North – 0800 294 8073