Applications for Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) funding will be closing soon.  The deadline to apply is 31st October 2024

Applications for Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) funding will be closing soon.  The deadline to apply is 31st October 2024, so there’s not much time left for Oxfordshire residents to take advantage of this opportunity for FREE energy efficient home upgrades – and as yet there’s been no future scheme announced, so it’s a case of making the most of the funding we have now.

As a quick reminder, the Home Upgrade Grant supports Oxfordshire residents at risk of fuel poverty by improving the comfort of their homes, often reducing their energy bills as a result.  It also helps the Districts and the County Council move towards their net zero targets. The grant covers the cost of measures such as insulation, heating, ventilation, and solar panels, with residents able to receive up to £38,000 worth of work.  To date we have completed upgrades in 140 properties since the start of the project in April 2023 and are on target to achieve a total of 215 completed homes by 31 March 2025.

The grant is available for homeowners and private renters who meet the following criteria:

1. The property’s main heating source is not mains gas, i.e. they do not have a gas boiler.
2. Total household income of £39,000 or below OR be in receipt of means-tested benefits.
3. Their home has an EPC of D or below. If the resident’s property doesn’t have a current EPC then we can carry out a survey free of charge.
4. Live in South & Vale District, West Oxfordshire District or Cherwell District Council areas.

We’re asking for your help to spread the word about the Home Upgrade Grant to your networks and communities whilst there is still time left to apply.

The comms toolkit contains various resources which you can use to promote the scheme via your own communication channels, such as newsletters, websites, blogs, or events. By helping to spread the word, we can reach residents who could benefit from the scheme and ensure that they do not miss out on this chance to upgrade their homes for free.

I’ve attached a flowchart that guides people through all the current energy efficiency funding available and where to get the appropriate help, which you may find useful.  There is also a version designed to be printed, so let me know if you would like that version too. And if you have any questions about the Home Upgrade Grant, please do not hesitate to contact me.

On behalf of the OCC Retrofit Team, thank you, we appreciate your support!

Kind regards

Gayle

Gayle Pilkington

Retrofit Project Manager, Oxfordshire County Council
County Hall | New Road | Oxford | OX1 1ND
Email: gayle.pilkington@oxfordshire.gov.uk  | Telephone: 07927 589233