Every year in Wales there are around 2,000 excess deaths in Winter months due to cold. We know that cold, damp, hard to heat and unfit housing has a direct impact on the health of older people and will contribute to illness, hardship and suffering. Whilst there are schemes to help with heating, many of our clients are caught in a poverty trap because their occupational pension brings them slightly above the eligibility criteria. There is no help available for general repairs.

Last year Care & Repair agencies helped over 1,400 to keep their homes warm and affordable. This year we are stepping our action on fighting fuel poverty to reduce the illness and fatalities this winter. The Healthy Homes for Older People Hardship will provide vital payments to carry out work that will improve heating systems and reduce damp and draughts to make homes safe, warm and dry.