Home energy

We are taking expressions of interest for the new Warm Homes Local Grant scheme that will run from April 2025.

Please read the important information below and register your interest in the scheme.

Once you have submitted your form, a member of the Warm Homes Local Grant team will contact you to discuss the next steps. The scheme runs between April 2025 and March 2028.

The objectives of the Warm Homes Local Grant are:

• To improve as many fuel poor homes as possible, delivering significant annual energy bill savings for the occupants
• To deliver progress towards national net zero 2050 targets by delivering carbon savings in upgraded homes

Things to note before you submit your expression of interest form

• Residents need to meet certain qualifying criteria, and your property will also need to meet certain criteria. All works are subject to survey and funding availability.
• Grants will be available to EPC bands D, E, F and G homes across Herefordshire subject to criteria.
• If you live in a listed property many measures may need planning permission. The Warm Homes Local Grant Team will work with you to proceed under the scheme but as the home owner, the applicant will need to apply for permissions. Herefordshire Council is lobbying separately to have specific schemes to target listed buildings.
• The scheme follows a whole house approach - this means that installation of fabric measures (such as windows, doors, insulation) is done first, before changing or improving heating systems.
• Please note - this isn't a crisis or emergency scheme. The grant process can take several months. Successful applicants will likely require several different assessments before measures are installed.
• Works must be carried out by Herefordshire Council procured contractors. No works can be funded retrospectively.
• Applicants must have lived in their property for a minimum of six months, and properties must be occupied. The scheme isn't intended to support large-scale home renovation projects or refurbishments.
• Private tenants can apply, although your landlord will need to consent to all works and may be expected to make a financial contribution. Social housing tenants can't apply. Landlords who rent out more than four properties don't qualify.
• Herefordshire Council reserves the right not to treat a property, such as if there is not a low income or the household are not at risk of fuel poverty (other criteria apply).

Qualifying criteria

There are three qualification routes:

Pathway 1 - IMD eligible postcodes

The household is in a valid postcode that falls within Income Deciles 1-2 of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation and is eligible providing the household meets the energy efficiency rating of D-G and meets income criteria.

Pathway 2a - Households in receipt of means-tested benefits (including Housing Benefit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit (savings and guarantee), Universal Credit

The recipient of the qualifying benefit must be a permanent adult resident of the property. To progress through the grant scheme you'll need to provide evidence of your benefit entitlement at a later stage.

Pathway 2b - Flexible criteria

Households that meet a combination of at least two of the following:

• Receive a Council Tax reduction on grounds of low income (not a Council Tax discount or exemption)
• Have a long-term health condition and/or disability that's affected by a cold home
• Receive free school meals

To progress through the grant scheme you'll need to provide evidence of these at a later stage.

Pathway 3 - Household income threshold

Households not in receipt of government benefits can still qualify for grants if their gross annual household income is below £36,000 per year.

The income threshold is inclusive of tax. Remember to include the income of all adults who are permanently resident at your home. Income should include that from employment, rental payments, pensions and investments.

To progress you'll be asked to provide evidence of your household income to support your claim.

You can email the Warm Homes Local Grant team for further support at WarmHomesLocalGrant@herefordshire.gov.uk

How to register your interest in the scheme

Complete the Warm Homes Local Grant expression of interest form

For details on how we store and process your personal information please read our privacy notice.