Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has launched a public consultation regarding the proposed Warm Healthy Homes Fund. The new energy efficiency scheme is designed to enhance warmth, improve health outcomes, and increase energy affordability for low-income households across Northern Ireland. Thousands of struggling households will be eligible to apply for the fund, which will implement a fabric-first and whole-house approach to upgrading the energy efficiency of qualifying properties.

The Warm Healthy Homes Fund is a vital component of the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026–36, which was introduced by Minister Lyons in February to address fuel poverty among low-income households in both the private rented and owner-occupier sectors. The fund will improve properties by prioritizing insulation and ventilation before implementing heating upgrades or introducing renewable technologies.

Minister Lyons said: "I am committed to ensuring that everyone in Northern Ireland has access to a warm, safe, secure and affordable home in which they can live and thrive.

"This consultation marks another important step forward in delivering on that vision and ensuring that the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy delivers for those most in need.

"The proposed Warm Healthy Homes Fund will provide a long-term, sustainable solution to fuel poverty, modernise energy inefficient homes, build on the success of the Affordable Warmth Scheme and provide targeted, practical support for low-income households."

The Minister added: "By upgrading and enhancing the energy efficiency of homes, we will help hard-pressed families and people reduce their energy bills and improve health outcomes by making their homes easier and more affordable to heat.

"As Minister for Housing, I am committed to protecting the most vulnerable households in our society, while also laying the foundations for the future.

"I therefore encourage members of the public and anyone with an interest to participate in this consultation and help shape the final design of the Warm Healthy Homes Fund."

The consultation seeks feedback on central elements of the proposed scheme, including:

• Revised eligibility criteria

• Increased grant limits per household

• Additional measures such as low-carbon and renewable technologies

• Enhanced consumer protections

• Stronger quality standards aligned with recognised frameworks Welcoming the launch of the consultation, Pat Austin, Director of National Energy Action NI and chair of the Fuel Poverty Coalition Northern Ireland, said: "Fuel poverty remains at crisis level in Northern Ireland, with far too many households struggling to afford to keep warm. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is a lasting solution to reduce household energy bills and improve health and wellbeing.

"We welcome this consultation as an important step towards a new energy efficiency scheme for low-income and vulnerable households and urge everyone to have their say in shaping a scheme that is so evidently needed."

Nigel Brady, Director of Bryson Energy, said: "I strongly welcome this consultation as a significant step toward ensuring everyone in Northern Ireland can live in a warm, healthy home. The proposed Warm Healthy Homes Fund offers a sustainable approach to tackling fuel poverty, expanding support, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing health outcomes. I encourage everyone to engage with the consultation to help shape the scheme and ensure support is targeted at those most in need."

Nuala Toman, Head of Accessibility at Disability Action, said: "Disability Action welcomes the launch of the Department for Communities consultation on the Warm, Healthy Homes Fund and encourages disabled people, families and communities across Northern Ireland to have their say.

"Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by fuel poverty, poor housing conditions and rising energy costs, making accessible, affordable and energy-efficient homes essential to health, dignity, independence and equality. This consultation represents an important opportunity to help shape a system that better responds to the needs of disabled people and those most at risk of poverty and exclusion."

Feedback from the consultation will assist in shaping the final configuration of the Warm Healthy Homes Fund prior to its official launch. The consultation period is currently open and will run for 12 weeks until 19 August 2026.

Further information alongside details on how to participate can be accessed at: www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-warm-healthy-homes-fund. The Department also intends to host one online and two in-person public consultation events, with specific details to follow.