The term “Energy Poverty” or “Fuel Poverty” relates to the inability of a household to keep its living arrangements adequately warm or cold or to ensure a sufficient electricity supply, often leading to the worsening of health conditions, social exclusion processes or even premature deaths. Generally this inability is measured with differing methods across the EU. The most common definition of ‘’energy poverty’’ is if the energy costs surpasses 10% of the households income, but this depends on the national context. Other definitions include damp housing conditions (15.2%) or arrears on energy bills (9.1%).
As Energy Poverty has been increasing after the financial crisis, so has the impact of Energy Poverty on the different groups of people Eurodiaconia members’ organizations are working with. The briefing aims to be a short reflection on the major issues related to energy poverty, as well as an analysis of the demands received by social services providers.
To know more about Energy Poverty and the role of the social service providers, check our briefing.