Preston homes upgraded ahead of winter thanks to Affordable Warmth Fund

Rooftops in Ashton-on-Ribble Pic: Tony Worrall

More than 70 households across Preston have seen their homes upgraded ahead of the winter.

Preston City Council dished out £186,000 from the affordable warmth fund to see new heating systems installed, heating repairs, solar heating and new doors and windows in some run-down properties.

All households were on low incomes and in total 153 people have benefited from the work which was undertaken across 73 households.

The city council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing councillor Jennifer Mein said: “This is a fantastic example of our partnership working and being able to mobilise quickly to get the money spent where it was very much needed.

“We are also pleased that we’ve been able to spend our full allocation for Preston through the Cosy Homes scheme and have been successful in securing and spending additional funding for the benefit of our poorer households.

“In the current economic climate, it’s satisfying to know that an additional 73 Preston households on low incomes or with chronic health conditions will be warmer this winter now these energy efficiency measures are in place. Not only does this tackle fuel poverty but it also helps reduce carbon emissions.”

The city council worked with Cosy Homes in Lancashire on the application process and the funding came via Lancashire County Council.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing at the county council, county councillor Michael Green, said: “We know that living in a cold home can have a number of negative impacts on people’s health and wellbeing.

“And we know that low incomes, high fuel costs and a lack of energy efficiency can all increase the risks of living in a cold home.

“This is why we made the £1 million of funding available, to benefit local residents.

“Lancashire County Council’s Affordable Warmth fund provides vital support to Lancashire households and I’m pleased to see that districts are utilising the funding as quickly and as appropriately as possible.”