AN emergency poverty strategy has been drawn up by Derwentside District Council which estimates one in four residents cannot afford to heat their homes properly.
The council will target private sector homes with an energy efficiency promotion campaign and will consider further investing in its own council housing.
The council has already spent about £5m in a range of energy efficient measures in council homes.
Cabinet member for social inclusion councillor Jean Huntley said: "Some people simply don't have enough money to afford to heat their homes and some live in inadequately heated housing. Others don't turn up the heat because they are worried about high fuel bills."
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