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

Weatherization and Rehab: A Holistic

Approach

Kahya FoxCouleecap, Inc.

Overview

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

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

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


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


• Process– Rehab first!– Let Weatherization staff know when work is

completed• Must have a system in place.


Before


After


• 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!

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)


• 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


• 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!

Success in Numbers!AHP Total

ProjectsContract Amount

Wx Match # of Wx Projects

Rural Rehab 2010 25 $150,000 $51,006.44 8

Rural Rehab 2011 30 $180,000 $68,623.18 14

Rural Dev. Rehab 2011

10 $75,000 $27,796.89 4

Accessibility 2011 20 $120,000 $53,815.68 9

Wx Deferral 2011 25 $150,000 $103,054.20 25

Wx Deferral 2012 25 $240,000 25

Wx Deferral 2013 30 $180,000 30

TOTALS 165 $1,095,000 $304,296.33 115


• 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



• Example: Cascade Road, SpartaNew Septic System—Total Cost $13,125.36

Weatherization then completed $23,638.09 worth of energy saving work

Before After

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.


• 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.


• 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.


Before Pictures

Habitat WeatherizationAfter Pictures


• Project Overview– Habitat costs = less than $200– Amount of Weatherization work completed

on home = $4,001.80– Annual estimated energy savings =

$2,400.00


• 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.


• TestimonialIt 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’.


• TestimonialI 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.


• TestimonialI 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.


• 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


• AHP Habitat for Humanity– Complete joint inspections with Habitat,

Rehab, and Weatherization staff

Project ReNEW

Project ReNEW

• Purpose– Revitalizing Neighborhood Empowerment

With La Crosse Neighborhoods – A partnership of neighbors, non-profit and

public agencies, local businesses and community members working together for neighborhood revitalization.

Project ReNEW

• History

– Started with a conversation with Viterbo University

– Couleecap VISTA volunteers – Launched in 2013

• 51 projects• Over 1,000 volunteer labor hours

ReNEW Collaboration

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

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

Project ReNEW

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

Renee’s House-Before

Renee’s House-During

Renee’s House During

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.”

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

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

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)

Thank you!

• Any questions?

• Contact Information– Kahya Fox

• 608-634-7388

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

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