Jocelyn Davies, Deputy Minister for Housing, has announced that first time home owners in parts of Pembrokeshire will be eligible for grants of up to £5,000 to make their homes more energy efficient in a new pilot scheme.
Ms. Davies outlined how the initiative will help people get on the housing ladder and deal with high energy costs when she visited one of the pilot areas in Haverfordwest last week.
The £500,000 scheme has been launched in existing housing renewal areas, where the difference between average incomes and house prices are highest, making house purchases most unaffordable.
It will provide a grant of up to £5,000 via local authorities for first time buyers to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Ms. Davies said: "Creating affordable housing is central to this Government's aim of ensuring strong, sustainable communities throughout our nation.
"The pilot will help first time buyers in the most expensive areas and at the same time make a contribution to meeting the Welsh Assembly Government's objective of improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs for their owners."
Clr. David Simpson, Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet member for housing and sustainability, said: "It's difficult enough for first-time buyers to get on to the housing ladder. This is great opportunity for them to seek grant aid for energy efficiency improvement measures, if they so wish."
Jim Stobbart, Pembrokeshire County Council customer services manager (private sector housing), said: "This is a welcome further investment in the renewal areas on such important measures as energy efficiency and carbon reduction."