Inter-agency project targets 'fuel poor' in borough

COLERAINE Borough Council, in association with the Public Health Agency, Coleraine Citizens Advice and St Vincent de Paul, is co-coordinating a new project called 'Fuel Poverty – Stamp It Out' to help address fuel poverty within the borough.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Feb 2010, 08:33 BST

Fuel poverty remains a problem in the area, but there are existing schemes currently being promoted and delivered, such as the Warm Homes and the Warmer Ways to Better Health, to help combat the problem.

Over 48,000 households in the Northern Health and Social Services Board area are considered to be fuel poor with 29% of householders in the borough finding it difficult to heat their homes.

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This new project aims to help 50 families within the Coleraine Borough, by issuing them with energy efficiency measures to save heat and energy loss from their homes, and also to help pay towards the cost of home heating oil with a pre-paid fuel stamp card with 20 of stamps already saved on the card.

Ailish McAtamney, Council's Energy Efficiency Officer explained: "Thankfully we are in a position to help those most in need in our area.

"This project is aimed at helping local people battle the cost of heating their homes, especially during a time of economic downturn and soaring unemployment rates.

"We are here to advise members of the public on energy efficiency and schemes available and also help signpost them to other public agencies who may be able to help them more."

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Angela Welch Manager of Causeway Citizens' Advice Bureau, added: "Last year through a Fuel Poverty Initiative with Coleraine Borough Council we helped over 200 people who were fuel poor.

"Through our advice workers, we delivered two separate packages, one aimed at people with mobility issues and the second for the working poor and single people. This was a hugely successful project and this year we have had many people enquiring if the packages were available again.

"Through a lack of funding we were not able to re-run the programme, but I am delighted that Council has come on board to help extend it, albeit in a smaller capacity. The CAB will administer the project in partnership with Council and the other agencies.

For more information on the new scheme contact Coleraine Citizens' Advice on 028 7034 4817.

Related topics:Fuel poverty