Funding available in Boston and South Holland to help make properties warmer

The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership has funding available to assist with the retrofitting of off-gas properties (those with no mains gas connection) in South Holland and Boston, through the Home Upgrade Grant funding (HUG 2) from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Grants from the first round of funding, HUG 1, have assisted homes with energy efficiency measures such as solar panels and insulation as well as low carbon heating methods such as air source heat pumps.

The first round saw £3.16m awarded in grants since April 2022, improving 173 properties across the South and East Lincolnshire sub-region.

Sheryl Deakin, from Spalding, applied for a grant in September last year and the improvements to her home were completed in June. Her home was cold, damp and had an unreliable boiler.

Improvements included air source heat pump, solar panels and external wall insulation. Her home Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) improved from an E to a B rating as well as the Carbon from this property reducing from 7.2 to 1.7 tonnes per year, saving 5.5 tonnes.

She said: "I love my home again. My daughters are happy and content, my youngest especially feels safer knowing we have a reliable heating source for next winter.

"My oil boiler was so much noisier than the new Air Source Heating Pump that's been installed."

Cllr Nick Worth, Leader of South Holland District Council, said: "The lives of our residents are being changed for the better thanks to the Partnership successfully securing government funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes and reduce carbon emissions.

"Homes which are difficult and expensive to heat can be made warmer, more comfortable and cost you less in your utility bills. There is still money available to improve homes in South Holland and I urge homeowners and landlords across the district to get in touch with the Partnership's Sustainable Warmth team and find out what measures you could be eligible for.

"The money is there in South Holland - now's your chance to access it."

Cllr Callum Butler, Environmental Portfolio Holder at Boston Borough Council said: "Improving your properties EPC rating by heating your home in a low carbon way will help to reduce your energy and utility bills resulting in a warmer home for less in the winter.

"This money is available now across Boston and the surrounding villages to all properties that are not on mains gas. All homeowners and landlords need to do to start the journey to being more energy efficient is to call the Partnership's Sustainable Warmth team. The knowledgeable and understanding team will link successful applicants with their own case officer who will see you through the entire process right up to the works being completed.

"There was a fantastic response to the first phase and I would love to see more homeowners access grants they could be entitled to."

Grants range between £8,000 and £38,000 per home, depending on the property's wall type, EPC rating and current fuel type.

To be eligible, your property must have an EPC Rating of D, E, F or G and a total household income of less than £31k of which Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) will be deducted if you are in receipt of these. If you are in receipt of these benefits and previously turned down for a grant, please do try and reapply again.

There are still spaces available in Boston and South Holland for anyone wanting to apply for funding in 2023/24.

Grant funding is limited so don't delay. HUG 2 is for off gas properties only, however there may be other funding available for those who do not meet the criteria so please get in touch if you are unsure.

The scheme is already oversubscribed in East Lindsey however the Sustainable Warmth Team will always try and signpost and support into other funding programmes when they can. 

For more information, contact the Partnership's Sustainable Warmth Team at greenhomesgrants@e-lindsey.gov.uk or by calling 01507 613573.