Healthier Homes with Free Insulation For Low-income Families

Low-income families can keep their families warm and healthy this winter by taking up a FREE programme to insulate their homes. People are eligible if:

•          Your home was built before 2000
•          The home owner or tenant has a Community Services Card (or a Community Services Card endorsed SuperGold Card)
•          One or more occupants are under 17 or over 65 years of age

The programme provides free under floor and ceiling insulation. Housing New Zealand homes are not eligible for this programme.

Eastern Ward Councillor Denys Latham is helping to promote the programme. “I want to make sure that people who are eligible in our community are able to take up this great opportunity so that children and older people can enjoy living in warm, dry, healthier homes.”

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma and respiratory illness among countries in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and cold, damp homes have been linked with these conditions.

“The temperature in your home can make a huge difference to your health,” Cr Latham says. “Insulated homes produce better homes that lessen the chances of incurring respiratory and skin conditions and rheumatic fever.”

The Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes programme is being delivered through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Cr Latham says EECA has surveyed people who have had their house insulated through a previous programme. Of those surveyed, 84% noticed a warmer home after insulating while 62% of people who had regular sickness in their family reported improved health.
“The benefits, especially for the young and the elderly, are great. So if you qualify, take the time to get an assessment done by one of the providers working in Porirua.”

He encourages landlords whose tenants meet the criteria to also take advantage of the programme.  Some providers may ask for a small contribution from landlords.

There are four providers working in Porirua who offer the scheme for free to those who are eligible. They are: Right House on 0800 744 569, EnergySmart on 0800 777 111, Sustainability Trust on 0508 787 824 and Autex on 0800 782 653.

After an approach late last year by the Right House/Pacific Peoples Wellbeing Trust Late, the Porirua City Council agreed to support the promotion of the Right House home insulation programme along with that of other providers offering similar services in the Porirua area.

ENDS

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