Borough homes to benefit from retrofit funding

Dudley Council bosses have announced plans for more than £6 million to be invested into selected borough homes, following a successful funding application.

Grant funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority will help the council to retrofit private and council rental properties over the next four years.

Some of the oldest and coldest homes in the borough will be targeted, with work set to help reduce fuel poverty, damp and mould in around 600 properties.

The funding will assist with achieving energy efficiency targets, helping households to lower their energy bills and bringing homes up to a minimum energy efficiency standard.

Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for housing, said: “Following our successful application, the combined authority has announced that up to £6.27 million of investment is being made available to Dudley borough for the Building Retrofit Pilot programme.

“This is part of a new approach between central government and WMCA for the retrofit schemes for homes, which will be determined at a local level where the need is better understood.

“The work will result in a reduction in household bills through improved energy efficiency and increased investment and economic growth for households in our borough.”

The grant will see £690,000 for administration and retrofit assessment fees over the next 12 months. The remaining £5.8 million will be made available from January 2026, with £2.8 million of the funding expected to be spent on council owned properties.

WMCA will provide 100 per cent of funding for all survey and works for privately owned properties, but a 30 per cent contribution will be required from landlords within the privately rented sector.

For council owned properties, 50 per cent match funding is required, which will be provided from the existing relevant funding streams within the local authority’s Housing Revenue Account.

Borough residents who believe they may have a low energy efficient home can contact the Dudley Energy Advice Line by calling 01384 817 086 to find out more.