About 2,000 of the poorest households in Scotland will receive £5 million ($7.8 million) of funding to make their homes more energy efficient, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced Friday.
Under the scheme, 28 housing associations and councils across the country will receive funding designated for updating old buildings to make them cheaper to heat.
The funding is given under the Cashback Scheme for social housing providers and will 'help meet the cost of installing measures for the buildings such as solid wall insulation or hard-to-treat cavity wall insulation, in their housing stock,' the press release said.
Furthermore, social housing landlords are able to apply for up to £250,000 ($392,000) to help drive down the cost of tenants’ fuel bills.
“These energy efficiency measures will help families who are struggling to make ends meet by saving money on their heating bills,' Burgess commented.
“Introducing energy efficiency measures stimulates economic growth, provides jobs and strengthens communities and tackles inequality,” she added.
The Scottish government plans to invest a record £119 million ($186.7 million) towards fuel poverty and energy efficiency from its budget in 2015 and 2016.
By Zeynep Beyza Karabay
Anadolu Agency
zeynep.karabay@aa.com.tr