Weatherization and Rehab: A Holistic Approach Kahya Fox Couleecap, Inc.

1. Weatherization and Rehab: A Holistic Approach Kahya Fox Couleecap, Inc.

2. Overview • Explain and give examples of how Rehabilitation Programs, Weatherization Programs, and Habitat for Humanity can work together, share resources, and help families.

3. Where to Start? • You can begin working together at the very beginning. • Start with client intake: • Couleecap’s Case Manager position • Triage all incoming Rehab and Weatherization calls • Determines ALL client needs • One-Stop-Shop for assessment • Mostly funded with HUD Counseling funds

4. Rehab  Weatherization • Inspection = two options: • Schedule audit and initial rehab inspection together • Note rehab work on Weatherization file—talk after all inspections have been completed

5. Rehab  Weatherization • Common work that Weatherization can do: • Insulation • Furnace work • Bath or kitchen fans • Refrigerators • Dryer venting • Small electrical repairs • Other small repairs

6. Rehab  Weatherization • Process • Rehab first! • Let Weatherization staff know when work is completed • Must have a system in place.

7. Rehab  Weatherization Before

8. Rehab  Weatherization After

9. Rehab  Weatherization • Project Overview • Rehab costs = $22,000 • Amount of Weatherization work to be completed on home = Approximately $10,000 • Conversion of wood burning stove • New refrigerator • Lots of insulation!

10. Weatherization  Rehab • Auditor inspects home and must defer • Common reasons for deferral: • Roof leaks • Hot water heaters • Electrical work • Larger areas where air is leaking—drywall • Lack of SIR (Savings to Investment Ratio)

11. Weatherization  Rehab • Auditor forwards explanation and pictures to housing staff • Sends client a deferral letter • Housing staff work with homeowner to begin rehab process • Works best with AHP and HPG funds • Works best with smaller priced projects

12. Weatherization  Rehab • Project completion • Rehab staff let Weatherization know when work is complete • AHP Weatherization Deferral Program • Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank • $180,000 for 30 projects over 12 months • $6,000 average cost per house • Extremely successful!

13. Success in Numbers!

14. Weatherization  Rehab • Example: Park Avenue, Hillsboro, WI • Replace roof • Drywall garage ceiling • Replace door from garage to basement • Total cost of rehab = $4,295 in a forgivable loan • Received $5,296.75 in Weatherization

15. Weatherization  Rehab

16. Weatherization  Rehab • Example: Cascade Road, Sparta New Septic System—Total Cost $13,125.36 Weatherization then completed $23,638.09 worth of energy saving work Before After

17. Habitat  Weatherization • Habitat’s Critical Repair Program • How they do it • Habitat selects partner families based on income, need and willingness to partner. • Habitat affiliates use volunteer labor and donated materials to keep costs low and take no profit for their services.

18. Habitat  Weatherization • Habitat’s Critical Repair Program • Why it matters • This program ensures that families live in safe and well-maintained homes. • The program is designed to revitalize the appearance of the neighborhood, encourage connections within the community, and most importantly, help preserve affordable housing stock.

19. Habitat  Weatherization • Example: Usher St, La Crosse • Need to insulate and sheet rock the outside wall on left side of furnace • Need to tie up wires that have no termination point • Need to sheet rock and seal around duct work above furnace • Need to sheet rock and seal around duct work that follows down the bulkhead that goes down the hallway.

20. Habitat  Weatherization Before Pictures

21. Habitat  Weatherization After Pictures

22. Habitat  Weatherization • Project Overview • Habitat costs = less than $200 • Amount of Weatherization work completed on home = $4,001.80 • Annual estimated energy savings = $2,400.00

23. Habitat  Weatherization • Testimonial “When Couleecap and Habitat for Humanity called to do work on my home, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found out quickly that these are very nice people who are able to come in and help me during my time of need. My energy bills were costing between $300 and $400 per month. With two children in the house, I found it increasingly difficult to have to choose between utilities and groceries.

24. Habitat  Weatherization • Testimonial It becomes a pride and humility issue when you get to a point to have to ask for assistance, especially when you don’t know who is coming into your home. While this project was underway, I was treated with the utmost respect and kindness. My only hope is to someday be able to pay it forward and instill the gratitude to those around us and ‘do unto others’.

25. Habitat  Weatherization • Testimonial I received my first energy bill after completion of this project and it read $79.00. I actually had to call because I thought it was a mistake. The following month, my bill was $94.00. I finally could breathe a sigh of relief that this project proved to be exactly what they told me it would do. You will never know how much this program has changed my family’s life. It has given me a new lease of hope to actually start to get ahead.

26. Habitat  Weatherization • Testimonial I received my first energy bill after completion of this project and it read $79.00. I actually had to call because I thought it was a mistake. The following month, my bill was $94.00. I finally could breathe a sigh of relief that this project proved to be exactly what they told me it would do. You will never know how much this program has changed my family’s life. It has given me a new lease of hope to actually start to get ahead.

27. Habitat  Weatherization • AHP Habitat for Humanity • New funding for 2014 • $60,000 to complete 10 projects • Average of $6,000 per unit • In conjunction with Critical Home Repair • Habitat gets $500 coordination fee • Have allowed them to hire part-time coordinator • 3 projects in progress

28. Habitat  Weatherization • AHP Habitat for Humanity • Complete joint inspections with Habitat, Rehab, and Weatherization staff

29. Project ReNEW

30. Project ReNEW • Purpose • RevitalizingNeighborhood EmpowermentWith La Crosse Neighborhoods • A partnership of neighbors, non-profit and public agencies, local businesses and community members working together for neighborhood revitalization.

31. Project ReNEW • History • Started with a conversation with Viterbo University • Couleecap VISTA volunteers • Launched in 2013 • 51 projects • Over 1,000 volunteer labor hours

32. ReNEW Collaboration

33. Project ReNEW • What do we do? • In 2014, the ReNew Program is providing Neighborhood Revitalization in two La Crosse Neighborhoods. • Every weekend from May 4 through June 7

34. Project ReNEW • Programs • Over 200 volunteers • Couleecap Rehabilitation and Weatherization programs • City of La Crosse CDBG funding • City of La Crosse Paint and Fix Up Program • Habitat Critical Home Repair • Local material donations • Local funding

35. Project ReNEW • Couleecap AHP ReNEW funds • $180,000 for 30 projects • Average of $6,000 for repairs • Tied to ReNEW neighborhoods

36. Renee’s House-Before

37. Renee’s House-During

38. Renee’s House During

39. Renee’s House-After "I am so grateful, I can't thank them enough for all the hard work they're doing and it's so heartwarming and it's really emotional for me.”

40. Renee’s Project • Over 20 Volunteers for over 100 hours of painting, fixing, and landscaping • $7,580.50 in AHP Rehabilitation • $800 in City of La Crosse Paint and Fix-up Funding • Flowers and shrubs were donated by local landscaping companies and Home Depot

41. Benefits of Working Together • Provides holistic approach to client services • Saves money for homeowners • Weatherization can be match dollars for rehab funding • Funds stretch farther • Allows deferrals to proceed • Everyone benefits • Builds relationships

42. Watch Out • DOE money for Weatherization projects are federal funds – can trigger lead rules for rehab (ex. HOME and CDBG) • Must have good communication between staff • Process for rehab can take longer • Extra time to coordinate (especially with volunteers)

43. Thank you! • Any questions? • Contact Information • Kahya Fox • 608-634-7388