This new phase begun by Geres this year takes an ambitious approach designed to empower 400 households experiencing energy poverty in the Cabucelle district of Marseille, and women in particular, so that they have the means to extricate themselves from their situation.

The aim is to improve identification of households vulnerable to energy poverty and roll out sustainable solutions via mobilization of a network of stakeholders in the territory of Aix Marseille Provence, together with housing practitioners, adopting a “neighbourhood” approach.

Households identified as at risk of energy poverty will be offered a home visit from local advisers specially trained to respond to their needs and help them along the way.

Developing a fund for essential works and engaging a professional integration organization to carry out those works are key parts of the approach. To ensure that needs are met, an appropriate response has been put together whereby low-income households can have the most extensive works carried out at a reasonable cost and people in the process of professional integration can gain experience.

Instigating territorial dynamics around energy involving local practitioners and households in individual or collective action will provide another gateway to the empowerment of families, through greater understanding of their role, the impact of their behaviour and how they can manage energy as users.

Finally, health aspects will be tackled, firstly by raising health professionals’ awareness of energy poverty to widen the network of whistleblowers helping to identify vulnerable households and, secondly, by mobilizing households and landlords to improve energy-related health conditions in housing.