In response to the national issue of the cost of living crisis Horsham District Council is implementing a range of initiatives to ease the potential financial burden for hundreds of local residents, particularly throughout the winter period.
Horsham District’s most vulnerable residents are set to receive extra financial support from the Council, funded primarily by this year’s Council Tax revenue.
The following funds have been provided to support residents on low incomes or those who are vulnerable:
- £90,000 for Housing Payments support helping those on benefits.
- A £35,000 Hardship Fund to help people with debt.
- A £15,000 grant to Horsham Matters so they can expand their fuel crisis support.
- £60,000 funding for two additional full-time posts at Citizens Advice to meet increased demand.
The Council has set up a group including partners such as Citizens’ Advice, Age UK and Horsham Matters to specifically focus on the cost of living crisis.
Additionally a series of new community drop-in sessions have been introduced across the Horsham District to help residents who are struggling and need help accessing key services to help them stay independent and healthy.
The sessions bring together a range of community partners to support residents’ access to relevant benefits and hardship support and also provide money management advice.
The drop-in sessions have been organised by Horsham District Council’s Community Services team in partnership with West Sussex County Council Partnerships and Communities team.
The sessions started in early August and will run until March 2023, after which they will be reviewed.
The Council has also been successful as part of a consortium of local authorities in securing funding from the Government’s Sustainable Warmth funding competition, to offer fully funded measures which will improve the energy efficiency of local eligible homes. These efficiencies will be delivered under a programme called Warmer Homes.
Funding under the Warmer Homes programme is available from October 2022 until March 2023, for the following energy efficiency measures:
- Insulation
- Solar PV panels
- Air source heat pumps.
Horsham District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Tony Hogben commented:
We are doing everything within the Council’s power to help those who need financial help most in our District, enabling them to face future challenges with more confidence.
We are providing more support to our community partners so that they can carry on with their successful projects, which directly help those in most need.
Providing the necessary financial support to our people and their families is critical at this difficult time, when many people will be concerned about changes to their income and ever rising costs.”