Warm Homes Grant in Stratford District: Waiting List Closed as Council Adds Support

The district council has given energy charity Act On Energy a contract worth up to £40,000 to help residents through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. But the scheme is full and its waiting list is closed.

By Alex Harrington 2 min read Source: Stratford-on-Avon District Council
An air source heat pump unit fixed outside the back door of a terraced house
An air source heat pump fitted to a terraced house in Southend-on-Sea, Essex (2024). Photo: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, UK, CC0

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has given Act On Energy, an energy advice charity based near Alcester, a contract worth up to £40,000 to guide residents through the Stratford Warm Homes grant (officially the Warm Homes: Local Grant), from applying to after the work is done. The officer decision was made on 8 October and published on 12 October (council decision). But anyone hoping to apply now should know that the scheme is full: the council’s waiting list is closed.

On this page
  1. What the Warm Homes grant pays for
  2. How much money is in the Stratford scheme
  3. Can I still apply?

What the Warm Homes grant pays for

The government-funded scheme pays for free energy upgrades, such as insulation, or low-carbon heating, such as an air source heat pump, in poorly insulated, privately owned homes of low-income households. Work follows a home assessment (council’s Warm Homes page).

  • The home: an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G. If you’d qualify but have no EPC, one can be arranged free.
  • The household: a combined gross income under £36,000 a year, or a means-tested benefit, or being vulnerable to the cold.
  • Landlords: may be able to get one rented property upgraded if it’s rated D to G and the tenants meet the same income test.

How much money is in the Stratford scheme

The government gave the district £900,000 over three years for the grant, which started in April 2025. The council has added £1.1 million of its own. The new contract comes out of the council’s £1.1 million and runs from October 2026 to March 2028. It includes up to 57 home visits.

Act On Energy already supports residents on the government-funded part of the scheme, under a regional contract. The decision says using the same organisation for the council-funded homes means everyone gets the same help, whichever pot pays for their work.

Can I still apply?

Not at the moment. The council says the scheme is oversubscribed and its waiting list is closed. It suggests checking back in case more money becomes available. In the meantime, Act On Energy gives free advice on saving energy and on other grants: call 0800 988 2881 or email advice@actonenergy.org.uk.

Watch out for scams: Act On Energy warns that fraudsters have been pretending to be the charity and offering free boilers. If someone calls or knocks claiming to be from Act On Energy, ring 0800 988 2881 to check before you agree to anything.

Community groups running a warm space this winter can still apply for the council’s separate warm hub grants of £250 to £1,000: see our guide to the warm hub and climate grants. More council news is on our council news page.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.

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