Warmer Kiwi Homes launch - new funded insulation and heating
Published 25 May 2018
Budget 2018 brought some fantastic news to warm the homes and hearts of people on low incomes, with new insulation and heating funding.
The new Warmer Kiwi Homes programme starts July 01, and Sustainability Trust Chief Executive Phil Squire explains in more detail below:
The government has just announced a new four-year insulation and heating programme targeted at owner-occupiers on limited incomes. It comes into effect on July 01, 2018 and offers a government grant of two-thirds of the cost of the insulation. To make it even cheaper and easier for homeowners to insulate, community providers will top up the subsidy with more funding.
The new legislation does not include financial support for landlords. There is still a short window of opportunity to take advantage of the old 50% subsidies before they expire June 30, 2018. We strongly recommend any landlords that think they may be eligible to contact us as soon as possible.
In addition, after July 01, 2019 the government has promised a $2000 heating grant for eligible households. This will ensure homes that are insulated first, can also be heated affordably and efficiently. We at Sustainability Trust are delighted that the government has committed fully to enabling people to create a warm, healthy home that is cheap to run.
Sustainability Trust is offering the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme in the Wellington region. Get in touch now to find out more or to book a home assessment from July onwards.
Although we are still fine-tuning the exact details on the subsidy, we can confirm that eligible homeowners will pay no more than one third of the cost of insulation. This covers complete ceiling and underfloor insulation, as well as ground vapour barriers (polythene sheet under the house to stop rising damp). Find out more about insulation best practice.
Homes will be eligible if they meet the following criteria:
The home must be owner-occupied – i.e. it can’t be a rental property AND
The home must be built before 2008
In addition:
The homeowner must have a Community Services Card or a SuperGold combo card OR
The homeowner has been referred by the Well Homes or our Warm Fuzzies programme OR
The home is located in Deprivation area 9-10 in the Wellington region
The Deprivation areas 9-10 in the Wellington region are defined by a range of criteria gathered during the census. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) will provide us with detailed maps to make it easy to see if homes fall into eligible areas.
So, this is really good news for folks who have not been able to afford the cost of insulation up to now.