The Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2) scheme available to off-gas properties, helps upgrade Halifax homeless charity’s housing. Jun 04, 2024

Local Community Interest Company YES Energy Solutions are partnering with Calderdale Council’s Healthy Homes Service to support Happy Days UK with the Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2) scheme

In Partnership with Calderdale Council’s Healthy Homes Service, the scheme is delivered by Halifax based Community Interest Company YES Energy Solutions, to deliver projects supporting sustainability and net zero carbon emissions. YES Energy Solutions has over 20 years of experience in installing energy efficiency measures, and in the last year alone has helped over 5,000 households receive funding to improve their home.

Happy Days UK is a Halifax based charity for people who are homeless or in crisis. Its team of specially trained staff and volunteers works closely with partner agencies to prevent homelessness and provide wraparound support to those accessing its services. Its services include independent living accommodation for residents who are ready to manage their own tenancy, whilst still having access to support at the Happy Days’ hub as part of the charity’s strategy to prevent homelessness.

Ellen Boothe, CEO of Happy Days said: "Our Charity supports people who are homeless and in crisis. We also have a suite of accommodation that is designed for single occupancy affordable living. We have been working with Calderdale Council for some time to find solutions to upgrade the properties and make them as comfortable and affordable for our tenants as possible.

“Whilst this is independent accommodation, all of our tenants are welcome to use our support services including our free community cafe, social supermarket and one to one support from complex lives coordinators which are available to prevent homelessness.”

The new scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency for the residents of Happy Days’ apartments, across both their sites in Halifax with energy efficiency upgrades to reduce carbon emissions and help residents heat their homes affordably.

Installing specific insulation and improving ventilation works, will help to keep the homes cooler in summer, and warm during the colder months.

YES Energy Solutions’ CEO Duncan McCombie, said: “With this partnership, we’re helping a fantastic local charity that supports and empowers people who are in crisis. With this project, we can help make their homes warmer and more efficient – promoting better energy habits.

“We know times are tough and even though we’re heading into summer, we want to encourage households to plan ahead and get their homes winter ready now. As well as this fantastic project, our teams are on hand to help all residents across Halifax and West Yorkshire with advice over the phone or in person - providing expert knowledge and helping them access funding.

“We are proud to work with Calderdale Council, and being a Halifax based company we’re thrilled to be able to support our local community.”

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:

“This scheme supports our priority to reduce inequalities by helping to make people’s homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to heat. The work provides energy efficiency improvements for low-income households that are off the gas grid, or non-gas heated, so it’s a big helping hand during the cost of living crisis.

“The scheme also reduces carbon emissions, contributing to our Climate Action Plan and our target for Calderdale to have net zero carbon emissions by 2038.”

In addition, YES is on hand to support all residents in Calderdale with energy advice and free home visits. The West Yorkshire Home Advice Visits project offers residents free advice from energy experts, all from the comfort of their home, and dedicated advice on specific measures they could be eligible for.

Residents interested in learning more about the Home Advice Visits should call YES Energy Solutions on 01422 880 100 or visit their website.

All works are subject to application, retrofit assessment, technical survey and approval.

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