£10m fund raised to make homes greener

THE GREATER Manchester Environment Commission has secured £10m worth of funding to offer families in the city-region grants to take on new green technologies.

The organisation has secured just over £5m worth of European Regional Development Fund money, which will be matched by cash from utilities firms and other private sector investors, to help make low carbon improvements to existing homes including improved insulation, solar energy, wood chip fuel, thermal cladding and updated boilers. It is expected that improvements could be made to almost 3,000 homes in five social housing projects. The organisation predicts that the insulation and biomass heating schemes could cut £20m from householders’ bills.

The Chair of Greater Manchester’s Environment Commission, Cllr Dave Goddard, said: “This excellent partnership shows how Greater Manchester is at the forefront of housing retrofit.

“The technology that is being used is amazing. Families will be able to do their bit in improving life for themselves and for future generations. Local businesses tender for work and support the local economy. Everyone’s a winner.”

Chair of Greater Manchester’s Planning and Housing Commission, Cllr Derek Antrobus said: “This is an important step towards our ambition to make sure homes in  Greater Manchester are fit for the future.  It will be a beacon for other housing schemes and develop the skills locally to meet what will be a growing market in greening homes.”

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