Extra funding to make hundreds more Tees Valley homes warmer

More than £3 million in additional funding has been allocated to housing improvements in Tees Valley, with hundreds of properties due to receive measures intended to make them warmer and more energy efficient.

The funding forms part of a wider £14 million package secured by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub and its partners. The regional package is intended to support upgrades to another 2,381 properties. Within Tees Valley, the announced plans include 200 additional homes managed by Darlington Borough Council and 381 homes managed by social housing provider Thirteen.

The two local figures add up to 581 homes identified for further work. The announcement, published by Tees Valley Combined Authority on 18 September 2026, says more than £3 million of the wider funding will be used in the Tees Valley, with additional contributions from participating organisations.

What improvements are planned?

The programme is about changing how homes use and retain energy. Measures could include loft or wall insulation, double glazing and lower-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps, depending on the particular building and what work is appropriate.

Insulation can help reduce the amount of heat lost through a home's roof and walls. Better glazing can also contribute to reduced heat loss. Where suitable, alternative heating technologies may reduce reliance on conventional systems.

However, not every property will receive every measure. The actual improvements will depend on the condition and characteristics of each home, technical assessments and the schemes used by the organisations delivering the work.

Why is the funding being increased?

The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub says the wider partnership secured additional backing after making good progress against its original delivery targets. The consortium includes 22 local authorities and housing providers.

It reported improving the energy efficiency of more than 1,600 homes in its first year. The new funding is meant to extend that work rather than replace the previously announced programme.

The investment is important because heating costs are a significant household expense, but projected reductions should be treated carefully. A resident's eventual savings will depend on their home's starting condition, the improvements installed, how their heating is used and future energy prices. The announcement does not establish a fixed bill saving for every household.

What should tenants do?

The figures for Darlington Borough Council and Thirteen concern homes managed by those organisations. They should not be interpreted as a public cash grant that every Tees Valley homeowner or tenant can apply for directly.

If you live in a council or housing association property, your landlord is the appropriate first contact for information about whether your home is included in a programme and how any works would be arranged. Residents should expect official communication before allowing contractors into their property and can verify any unexpected approach with their housing provider.

The Combined Authority announcement sets out the local figures. The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub provides further context about the regional package.

For the households selected, the intended benefit is more comfortable, less wasteful housing. The next measure of success will be the work completed and the improvements residents actually experience, rather than the funding announcement alone.

Sources: Tees Valley Combined Authority, 18 September 2026, and North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. Featured image illustrates housing insulation work outside Tees Valley; it does not show one of the announced properties.