Funding now open for third party organisations to support vulnerable residents through retrofit
Beyond making improvements to a building’s four walls, retrofitting is fundamentally about people.
An energy efficient home means lower energy bills, better health, greater comfort and peace of mind.
As a resident-first organisation, Warmer Homes London is focused on helping increasing numbers of residents feel the benefits of retrofit: especially residents most vulnerable to rising energy costs and poor housing conditions.
That is why through the Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, delivered by the Mayor of London and supported by WHL, more than £1 million of funding is available for third party organisations to provide tailored, hands-on support for residents who face the biggest barriers to taking part in retrofit.
The current challenges
We know that residents do not usually opt out of retrofit because they are no longer interested. Instead it’s often because they find the process complex and difficult to navigate. From trying to understand the different eligibility requirements to receiving communications from multiple contractors and assessors, the resident journey can often feel confusing and fragmented.
Under the Local Grant programme we have developed a new digital platform for residents and contractors to help make the overall journey to an energy efficient home clearer and manageable from one place.
However, we know that technology alone is not enough to address the barriers some residents face when participating in and completing retrofit schemes. Barriers can include:
- Digital exclusion
- Language barriers
- Disabilities and health conditions
- Mental health needs
- Financial vulnerability
- Low confidence navigating processes
- Complex housing circumstances
These residents are often those who stand to benefit most from healthier and more affordable homes, yet they can also be the ones most likely to miss out on crucial funding and support.
Providing additional support for vulnerable residents
To address this challenge, the Mayor of London and Warmer Homes London are inviting third-party organisations to apply for over £1 million in grant funding to provide targeted, person-centred support for residents who need additional help.
Providers will be helping to support residents in ways that include:
- Supporting applications and evidence gathering
- Resident engagement and outreach activities;
- Casework and tailored resident support;
- Support for vulnerable and digitally excluded residents;
- Assistance with programme navigation and communications;
- Support during assessment, installation and completion stages;
- Signposting and referral to other services where appropriate;
- Reporting, performance monitoring and programme evaluation.
Through this programme, Warmer Homes London aims to demonstrate the impact that trusted local support can have in helping vulnerable residents successfully complete the retrofit journey.
Procurement is now open here.
