New Affordable Warmth funding to make homes in Glasgow more energy-efficient

In this period, homes in Kempsthorn (Pollok), Craigend (Easterhouse) and Barmulloch are benefiting from the work being carried out through the Area Based Schemes (ABS) programme. The programme takes an area-based approach to combating fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency.

The main objective of the ABS programme is to provide funding to assist owner-occupiers and private landlord properties to install energy efficiency measures through implementing a 'fabric first' approach - mainly external wall insulation. This approach helps reduce energy usage and costs, enabling eligible households to improve the energy performance of their homes to achieve an EPC rating of C or better by 2030.

The scheme is targeted at areas in Glasgow within the lowest 25% Scottish Index Multiple Deprivation (2020); in Council Tax Band A-C and Tax Band D in certain conditions; that are not included in the area of operation of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and/or have consequently missed out on investment programmes; and where people are living with vulnerable conditions to the cold.

Owners and households living in a private rented property participating in the programme have access to the Introductory Advice Service (Wise Group), Home Energy Scotland and our contracted energy advice provider HEAT. These organisations offer a range of services including bespoke energy advice, and this support will assist households through the provision of additional project information and maximise uptake.

People living in the homes are very pleased with the outcome of this work, with one resident - a Mrs Bell from Kempsthorn - saying that, "I have hardly had my heating on. I pay for mine every month and I have not had a big bill since the work has been done." Mrs Bell is now looking to install further energy-efficiency measures and is surprised by how affordable they are.

A couple who stay in Craigend were equally pleased, feeling that their end-terrace home is warmer and that they have to turn on their heating much less frequently, saying that, "We have received so many compliments from people passing and a few people have applied/are going to sign up for the works since seeing our house. We would recommend the works to my neighbours, especially due to the cost."

The ABS programme helps deliver the aims of city and national initiatives such as Glasgow City Council's Affordable Warmth Strategy, Sustainable Glasgow, and the Climate Change Strategy, as well as the Scottish Government's Housing to 2040 Vision.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Housing at Glasgow City Council, said: "The measures delivered through this programme are making homes in Glasgow more energy efficient, helping people and families with their energy bills, and reducing emissions. The continued funding of the programme will spread these benefits to even more households in the city."

The council is working with the Scottish Government to explore ways to address the challenges that Glasgow is experiencing in relation to accelerating delivery, maximising the drawdown of funding from the ABS programme and increasing the number of homes that receive energy efficiency measures. The council will continue to engage with RSLs in Glasgow to explore delivering these measures in mixed-tenure blocks across the city.