New Auckland health project to benefit about 2000 low-income households

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and the ASB Community Trust have launched a new project to insulate nearly 2000 low-income homes in Auckland.

EECA's GM Residential Robert Linterman says the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes project will focus on households at risk of health conditions related to cold, damp housing, mainly in South Auckland. He says the trust has contributed $1 million to the project.

"Insulation is an effective way of lowering health risk. Independent research1 shows the biggest benefits of insulation are for children, the sick and elderly."

ASB Community Trust CEO Jennifer Gill says the project ticks many boxes for the trust - it targets high-need communities, is evidence-based and has clear measurable health outcomes.

"The cost of insulating a home is the same as a night's stay in Starship Hospital. Children also get to school more often when they are well and living in warm, dry houses. The lovely twist in the tail about this project is that it also creates employment."

Jennifer Gill says since 2008 the Trust has contributed $17 million to Government insulation projects in Northland and Auckland.

Mr Linterman says Auckland houses built after 2000 will have high levels of insulation but older houses were usually uninsulated.

"These houses are very hard to heat to a healthy and comfortable temperature, leaving children and the elderly more vulnerable to respiratory illness."

Mr Linterman says insulation has improved his own health.

"I've been an asthmatic since I was two-years-old and always woke in the night needing to suck on an inhaler. After insulating our home I started sleeping through the night."

In addition to the trust funding, EECA has allocated $2 million to the project and the Right House and Smart Energy Solution's trusts have also made significant contributions.