Warmer Homes Scheme (Low Income Housing Programme)

Sustainable Energy Irelands (SEI) Low Income Housing Programme was set up in 2002 to help establish and implement a national plan of action to systematically address the problem of fuel poverty in low income homes nation-wide. Alongside the programme was a Low Income Housing programme strategy, which outlined the context, objectives and work programme for the period 2002 to 2006. The programme has continued beyond this strategy and remains in force. Core delivery of the programme is through the Warmer Homes Scheme. This scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of homes occupied by low income households, and to establish the systems and increase Irelands capacity to install such measures. This approach is founded on a social employment delivery model. This model engages regional community-based organisations to acquire and apply the skills to carry out the work, which includes attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice. Eligible homes are identified locally via networks drawn from the statutory and voluntary sector. The focus is on privately owned and rented homes. The focus is primarily on retrofit improvement of the energy efficiency of older housing through the Warmer Homes Scheme. This complements the Home Energy Saving Scheme by providing similar upgrade measures free of charge to low income households.
This scheme was rebranded by the launch of Better Energy: Warmer Homes under the Better Energy brand in May 2011.

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