OTLEY’S MP, Alex Sobel is urging permanent residents of local park homes sites to apply for a dedicated Warm Home Discount scheme operated by Charis. Payments of £150 have been made available to eligible park home residents who do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier and instead pay the site owners for their electricity usage.

Park Homes Warm Home Discount is a multi-supplier initiative which this year is being generously funded by E.ON Next and is Ofgem approved and regulated. Residents can apply through an online application process, which has been developed in partnership with Lightning Reach.

When signing up, applicants need to choose the option ‘Park home/static caravan/ mobile home' for their housing status, which will enable them to navigate to the Park Homes scheme listed on the Lightning Reach portal.

Alex said: “People who live in park homes may be eligible to access payments of £150 to help with energy costs. Given the ongoing cost of living crisis and high energy prices, this could be a crucial lifeline for many, so I am encouraging everyone who believes they may be eligible to apply as soon as possible."

Alex added: “I am really pleased this scheme is now available, as this is something the All Party Parliamentary Group on Park Homes, which I vice-chair, has been calling for.”

Funding is limited so the scheme will operate on a first come, first served basis until all monies are allocated. Payments are then made directly into successful applicants' bank accounts by the end of March 2024. Eligibility criteria apply.

Applicants need to be permanently living in a park home, and either receive government support or benefits, or have a household income below £18,723.

"There is a sector of society living off grid that often gets overlooked by the usual support systems but still meets the criteria required for financial and practical help," said Jonathan Hunt, Charis's Director of Client Services. "They might not be aware that they are eligible for a Warm Home Discount and are facing significant pressures, despite help being out there."

Charis Grants Ltd. is a privately owned company established in 2003 to facilitate the distribution of funds and grants by energy companies, charities, housing associations and other bodies, such as the Citizens Advice, which help and support vulnerable people in the community.

Details of the scheme can be found at: https://charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes/