FAQ’s for Service Providers
The Government has extended the eligibility for Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes insulation grants to include low-income home owners, in addition to landlords with low-income or high health need tenants. The change will take effect from 28 June 2017.
- How will the WUNZ: HH eligibility criteria be different?Current eligibility criteria
Rental houses built prior to 2000 and occupied by either:- a named tenant or homeowner with a
valid Community Services Card or
Community Services Card-endorsed
SuperGold Card; or - a named tenant or homeowner with a
demonstrable income-related need,1
and one or more occupants of the
house has a referral from a medical
practitioner registered with the Medical
Council of New Zealand or a nurse
registered with the Nursing Council of
New Zealand stating that the occupant
suffers from a respiratory illness; or - a tenant or homeowner who is
referred by a Ministry of Healthrecognised
Healthy Homes Initiative
provider to an insulation installer
contracted by EECA to provide retrofits
under this programme.
- a named tenant or homeowner with a
New eligibility criteria
Rental houses built prior to 2000 and
occupied by either:
- a named tenant with a valid Community
Services Card or Community Services
Card-endorsed SuperGold Card; or - a named tenant with a demonstrable
income-related need,1 and one or more
occupants of the house has a referral
from a medical practitioner registered
with the Medical Council of New
Zealand or a nurse registered with the
Nursing Council of New Zealand stating
that the occupant suffers from a
respiratory illness; or - a tenant who is referred by a Ministry of
Health-recognised Healthy Homes
Initiative provider to an insulation
installer contracted by EECA to provide
retrofits under this programme.
New eligibility criteria
Rental houses built prior to 2000 and
occupied by either:- a named tenant with a valid Community
- When will the change in eligibility criteria take place?The extended eligibility criteria for WUNZ: HH will apply from 28 June 2017 until the end of the programme on 30 June 2018.
- Will WUNZ: HH still be available for landlords?Yes. WUNZ: HH will be open to landlords and homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.
- How much will eligible homeowners have to pay for an insulation retrofit under WUNZ?The current programme requires landlords to contribute 50 per cent towards an insulation retrofit. Under the extended eligibility criteria, eligible homeowners will be required to contribute a maximum of 50 per cent towards an insulation retrofit as well.
- Can eligible homeowners use Voluntary Targeted Rates (VTR) to fund their portion of the cost of an insulation retrofit under WUNZ?Yes. If eligible homeowners live in an area covered by a council VTR scheme, they may (if eligible for VTR), use VTR to cover their 50 per cent contribution towards an insulation retrofit. Note that some councils have a minimum amount of borrowing through VTR – service providers will need to check this before offering VTR as an option to low-income homeowners.
- Will third party funding requirements remain the same?Yes. There is no difference in third party funding requirements; they are the same for eligible homeowners as they are for landlords.
- How will this affect my existing contract with EECA?We will be issuing contract variations to cover the extension in eligibility criteria.
- Will EECA update the relevant forms to reference eligible homeowners, as well as landlords?Yes. EECA has updated the standard forms (including the declaration form) and will be providing these to you.
- What are the advertising requirements?Advertising requirements remain the same, i.e. ALL marketing and messaging (advertising, media releases, editorial etc.) by service providers and sub-contractors must come to EECA for sign off with two days’ notice. This is still the case so please send all material for sign off to Penny St John (penny.stjohn@eeca.govt.nz or 027 687 3123).
- Who can I talk to if I have any questions?If you have any questions regarding the changes to eligibility criteria for WUNZ: HH please contact Henry Nepia (henry.nepia@eeca.govt.nz or 027 297 9361).