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Southland Warm Homes Trust former chairperson Jim Hargest, current chairperson Lesley Soper and former chairperson Neil Boniface at a celebration marking 15 years.
Keeping Southlanders and West Otago people warm was marked with a celebration by the Southland Warm Homes Trust this week.
For 15 years the trust, in conjunction with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, has completed more than 9000 home insulation retro-fits and contributed to more than 1000 heat pump or wood burner installations.
“Through its work, the trust has made a real and positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities, and that’s something we’re very proud of,” trust chairperson Lesley Soper said
The trust provided funding to home-owners on low incomes or those living in low socio-economic areas in association with the Government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme.
In May, the Government committed further funding of $402 million over four years administered by the authority through local service providers which met installation and health and safety standards.
Eligible homeowners can have up to 95% of their ceiling and underfloor insulation costs or a new efficient heating unit (heat pump or wood/pellet burner) subsidised.
To be eligible, homes must have been built before 2008, and the homeowner/owner-occupier to be a community services card or own and live in an area identified as low-income.
The trust and Awarua Synergy offered other subsidies of up to $2000 for households with high health needs, or situations of financial hardship, to install insulation or an efficient heating unit.
“We’re very grateful for the successful and supportive local funding partnerships, particularly with Electricity Invercargill Ltd and The Power Company Ltd, but also with our local, territorial authorities and other community funders,” Soper said.
“It’s pleasing that the work of the trust represents a truly collaborative `Southland-wide’ effort. Many regional organisations have supported it, and many people’s lives have been changed for the better.”
The trust was established in June 2008 by Electricity Invercargill Ltd and the Southland Electric Power Supply Consumer Trust.
The trust’s partners included Awarua Synergy, Southland Home Ventilation, Premier Insulation, and Hotspot Installations which were contracted to install insulation and heating under the Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme.
PowerNet provided administration and financial reporting services on behalf of the trust.
“Although the funding structures have changed over time, our trust’s vision of warmer, healthier homes endures,” Soper said.
“We’re looking forward to continuing this important contribution to Southland’s wellbeing into the future,”
Research has shown that for every $1 spent on insulation for a low-income family, there was a $4.50 return on investment by reducing the number of people walking through hospital doors.
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