To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) how he is helping to winter-proof social and low-income housing; and (ii) how he is informing those eligible of the services available.

This issue is an operational matter for the Housing Executive and the relevant Housing Associations. The Department does not hold information in relation to winter-proofing for Housing Associations.

I have however sought the requested information from the Housing Executive Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

(i) Annually the Housing Executive deliver an External Cyclical Maintenance programme, a primary aim of which is to ensure the integrity of the external fabric to ensure properties are wind and watertight. It also delivers a heating upgrade programme and a window replacement programme.

The Housing Executive recently completed the ERDF funded Energy Efficiency in Social Housing programme, installing External Wall Insulation (EWI) in some 1,400 non-traditionally constructed homes.

The first schemes of NIHE’s innovative 300 Low Carbon Retrofit Programme will be completed in 2024/25; this involves the installation of energy efficiency measures in 300 homes. The Housing Executive has a number of further EWI schemes to be delivered, and has developed an initial Cavity Wall Insulation remediation/replacement programme of over 9,000 dwellings that will be rolled out across the next three to four years.

(ii) The Housing Executive’s freephone NI Energy Advice Service actively promotes energy efficiency advice and grants across all tenures including social housing and low-income households. The advice service is promoted in partnership with a variety of stakeholders including community groups, political representatives and local Councils.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme provides grants for energy efficiency measures within the home and is currently open to applications. The scheme assists low-income owner-occupiers and households in the private rented sector, with an annual household income of less than £23,000.

To make an application to the Affordable Warmth Scheme, customers can contact the NI Energy Advice Service via: 0800 1114455 or email: NIenergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk. Details of the Scheme are available on the NIHE and DfC website and also via NI Direct. A press release was also issued by DfC in September 2023 advising of changes to the application process and how those eligible could apply.

Housing Executive tenants are informed of energy related services via its Making Your Money Work Scheme, its Financial Inclusion team, and through liaison with the Energy Advice team to promote Oil Buying Networks to Housing Executive tenants via text messaging and the customer portal.

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact the Housing Executive directly. Making direct contact with them will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.