Energy Cost Information: October 2022

Energy costs have significantly increased in the last year and we know that higher gas and electricity bills are putting pressure on many households.

If you are worried about the impact of higher bills, or if your household is struggling to keep on top of weekly or monthly payments, please let us know. You can contact your housing officer directly, phone us on 01454 411172 or email info@elimhousing.co.uk

There is help available if you are struggling to pay your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter.

Grants and Benefits that are available to help.
Citizens Advice have provided a useful summary of the grants and benefits that are available to help with increased energy costs here.

Please follow this link for more details on the Energy Bills Support Scheme and other help.

What about customers who do not have a domestic electricity meter?
Many Housing Association residents pay for their energy bills through service charges or other mechanisms that mean that they do not have a domestic electricity meter or direct relationship with an electricity supplier. This includes many supported housing residents, some residents on Gypsy and Traveller sites and other residents who may have a communal heating network at their property.

The Government have confirmed that support equivalent to £400 will be available for these households who will not otherwise be reached through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. It is not clear how this support will be provided, but we are expecting further information from the Government by the end of October.
If you have any concerns or questions about this please feel free to contact us.

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Progress
Elim has received money from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to help us improve the energy performance of our properties. This should make homes more comfortable, improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy bills in the longer term.

Customers whose homes are part of this project have now been contacted and energy assessments have been undertaken.

This is a complex project requiring in depth surveys, analysis and individual designs as well as the building work that needs to be carried out in each home. Following installation, remote monitoring of the properties with customers who have agreed to this will be undertaken to measure how the decarbonisation works have improved energy efficiency in the home.

What Happens Next?
We are working closely with Bristol based energy assessors and consultants, VORG. VORG will carry out the assessments, coordination, and the design works for Elim.

Once the designs are finalised, we will advise customers on any improvements that are planned to their homes and the approximate duration of the building works.

We would like to thank customers for taking part in the assessments and for their patience. We know that this process may seem lengthy and complex, but this will help us make sure that any work is accurate, effective and provides value for money for our residents and for Elim.