PRESS RELEASE
24 NOVEMBER 2006

Healthy Homes Rotorua reaches out to more households

Healthy Homes Rotorua is offering more Rotorua residents a chance to have a house ‘makeover’.

The steering group, which includes representation from a number of Rotorua organisations, is calling for applications for the popular insulation ‘retrofit’ programme following a recent funding boost.

“Benefits include lower power bills, better health and a more comfortable, healthy home both summer and winter,” says Healthy Homes Rotorua spokesperson Jo Hunt from Energy Options. “We are encouraging Rotorua residents to apply now and avoid next year’s waiting list.”

Residents who live in their own homes built prior to 1977, hold a community services card and suffer from respiratory illnesses can contact the project hotline on 0800 15 15 65 to register. While making an application does not guarantee a place on the programme, householders who register will be considered equally within the project criteria.

“A full house ‘retrofit’ is valued at around $2,000 and includes ceiling and underfloor insulation, damp-proofing and a hot water cylinder wrap,” says Jo Hunt. “Thanks to combined funding from Rotorua Trust, Bay Trust, Lakes District Health Board, Toi Te Ora - Public Health, Ministry of Health and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, residents only need to pay 10% of the total cost, often less than $200.”

Healthy Homes Rotorua was launched as a pilot programme mid-2005 when over 100 homes received the retrofit. Work recently commenced on Phase Two of the programme.

Applications close Friday 8 December 2006. Contact 0800 15 1565 for more information.

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