Free insulation for needy

To meet the criteria for a free insulation scheme, Wairarapa residents have to have a Community Services Card and be at risk from health conditions relating to cold, damp housing.

A free insulation scheme for ill and low-income earners will warm up more than 600 Wairarapa homes.

To meet the criteria, occupants have to have a Community Services Card and be at risk from health conditions relating to cold, damp housing.

General manager of EnergySmart James Gallagher said health agencies would be able to refer patients to the project.

"The intent of the programme is to reduce health issues in the community and we anticipate there will probably be an oversubscription into the programme and we'll apply our internal prioritisation to achieve the best outcomes," Mr Gallagher said.

To be eligible a home must have an occupant under the age of 17, or over the age of 65.

He said households with children under 5 would be a top priority for the free ceiling and underfloor insulation. The project will also help those in rental situations.

"We will also focus on landlords, who will be expected to make a small contribution to the cost of insulating their rentals when tenants are low-income and at higher health risk."

Mr Gallagher said the scheme was based on "sound research" which showed insulation raises temperatures which reduces sickness.

The project, which aims to insulate about 600 homes by July 2014, has been funded by the Government's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), EnergySmart, which has a branch in Wairarapa, insulation manufacturer Terra Lana Products, the Wairarapa Healthy Homes Committee and the District Health Board.

Chairman of Wairarapa Healthy Homes Bob Francis said the committee was "delighted" EECA had provided some further funding.

Mr Francis said the committee had devoted $100,000 to the project this year, which has come from Wairarapa councils and local trusts.