The Warm Fuzzies programme works with families who need urgent assistance making their homes warm, dry and more affordable to heat.
Households taking part in Warm Fuzzies typically suffer from asthma, respiratory illness or skin conditions caused or aggravated by cold, damp and mouldy housing. Because damp, draughty houses are harder to heat, living in substandard housing can result in expensive heating bills as well.
More on New Zealand’s cold damp housing.
Families
The majority of Warm Fuzzies families rent their homes. Our team works with landlords and tenants to make straightforward, affordable improvements and behaviour changes to create a warm, dry, healthy living environment.
Warm Fuzzies home assessments are free to families with housing related health issues who have a Community Services Card.
Warm Fuzzies families experience improved health and more comfortable living. They save money on power, and take fewer days off work or school.
Landlords
Landlords also benefit from the Warm Fuzzies programme. Warm dry properties require less maintenance; they experience lower tenant turnover, and tenants look after the property better.
Incredibly, for every dollar spent on insulating a house, the country is saved 5 dollars in health costs alone.
Read recent housing and health studies here.
How does Warm Fuzzies Wellington work?
- People with housing-related health issues are referred to Warm Fuzzies Wellington by community nurses and outreach workers.
- Our team carry out a full home assessment of building, maintenance and lifestyle factors.
- Tenants and landlords are assisted with improvements to the house and habits of its occupants that will improve living conditions.
- Funding is available to assist with taking these steps and creating a warm, dry, healthy home.
Warm Fuzzies Wellington is supported by:
