$ 2 Million Awarded for Energy Resilient and Healthy Homes to
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, and Milford Housing Development Corporation

Investment seeks to support deep retrofits of homes in disadvantaged communities and
facilitate energy efficiency, healthy and safe home environments.

Dover, DE— The Empowerment Grant’s Energy Resilient and Healthy Homes (ERHH) Initiative is designed to provide low-to moderate-income households with energy efficiency services to reduce energy costs and ease energy burdens. A household’s energy burden is the percentage of income spent on energy. According to ACEEE, households that spend more than 6% of income for energy bills have a high energy burden. Across nine US regions, the South Atlantic region including Delaware had the greatest number of households with high energy burdens (6.3 million).1 As many have recognized and experienced, the connection between home environments and health 2. Inadequate housing contributes to health and safety problems that can impact child development, lead to chronic diseases, or compromise the safety of residents. Poor indoor air quality stemming from, for example, mold, mildew, and improperly vented appliances, and inadequate heating and ventilation can contribute to asthma, cold and heat related illnesses, allergies, and skin irritations among other health issues.

The Empowerment Grant’s ERHH Initiative takes a whole house approach to improve a home’s comfort, energy efficiency, reduce environmental allergens, improve indoor air quality and health outcomes of related illnesses, and improve a home’s durability and safety. Health and safety are improved by addressing energy-related health hazards. Additional partnerships in this effort include Tidal Health, Beebe Health Care, Help Initiative, Franklin Energy, and many other non-profit organizations which help to provide wrap around support for the households engaged in this opportunity.

A goal of Energy Resilient and Healthy Homes is to reach low-income and hard-to-reach customers. This can be difficult when the cost-effectiveness of these residential programs is challenged by a changing market. The health care industry is taking part in a value-based structure that recognizes how the social determinants of health (SDOH) affect health outcomes. Third party evaluation on this grant will be performed by Dawn Chorus Group and Warren Engineering looking at data around energy cost savings, health and well-being and other socio-economic factors around this targeted investment.

AREAS OF FOCUS
• Reach more participants and provide more extensive services.
• Increase participation in weatherization and residential retrofit programs.
• Improve the quality of life of low-moderate income households and communities.
• Improve health outcomes and reduce health care utilization rates and costs.
• Unlock new energy and health-related funding streams to combat climate change and its impact on disadvantaged communities.

The Empowerment Grant Program powered by the Energy Equity Fund and an alliance of private and public sector stakeholders look to transform communities and help identify and support collaborative ways to bring healthy, safe, and cost-saving energy to underserved communities. Initial funding for this grant is made possible by Energize Delaware, High Mark Blue Cross, Bloom Energy, TD Bank, Discover Bank, and the American Rescue Plan Funds. Each grantee will receive $650,000 over 2 years.

Energize Delaware Empowerment Grant Program seeks to implement impactful and innovative energy equity projects in historically underserved communities. These grants focus on energy efficiency, clean renewable energy, climate resiliency, and/or economic development and include direct investment in community outreach, education, and engagement. The Empowerment Grant Program’s cross sector collaboration benefits from bringing together multiple perspectives to craft robust solutions to complex issues. Consequently, multiple sectors will benefit from thoughtful approaches to address challenges such as access to health care, unhealthy homes that contribute to poor indoor air quality and health issues, high energy burden, access to sustainable energy, and limited economic opportunities.

According to Jim Purcell, Director of Development for Empowerment Grant, “we are working to show how targeted investment and alignment with our local communities can achieve equity as we transition to clean, more efficient and renewable energy for underserved Delaware communities.”

“We are humbled to partner will all the agencies in this very needed program. We seek to make a difference in communities that have not traditionally had access to these resources, and we applaud Energize Delaware in making these goals and aspirations become a reality! We are excited to get started and offer our Delaware Citizens healthy and energy efficient solutions,” David Moore, President & CEO of Milford Housing Development Corporation (MHDC).

“Housing is the largest expense in everyone’s budget, and the place where spend most of our time. It is imperative that homeowners afford their homes long-term, and that they are healthy place to live. Thanks to Energize Delaware, its partners, and the Energy Equity Fund, we are now able to tackle both of these housing issues, energy efficiency and health in one program.” Said Kevin L. Smith, CEO

According to Kevin Gilmore, Executive Director for Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, “Every day, we see the connection between housing conditions, health, and energy efficiency. This grant will help us serve more households in the county and identify best practices that can be used for greater impact going forward.”

Additional program details, including program locations, also on additional grant opportunities can be found on the website: www.energyedquityfund.org A Facebook page – @EmpowerGrantDE; and a Twitter account – @EmpowerGrantDE; are also available for public interaction and information.

About Energize Delaware
Energize Delaware is a unique non-profit that helps Delawareans save money through clean energy and energy efficiency. Our myriad programs provide energy education and financial incentives to Delaware homeowners, businesses, non-profits, state agencies, farms, houses of worship, local government and schools. Find a program to fit your needs at www.EnergizeDelaware.com.

About Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC) celebrates 36 years of impact in 2022. To date, HFHNCC has built 266 homes and served over 600 families. Committed to changing lives and landscapes, HFHNCC provides affordable housing solutions for hard-working, low-income families. Habitat engages residents in improving their neighborhoods, provides free critical home repairs to preserve existing homeownership, conducts financial literacy and home maintenance education for families in our homeownership program, and builds affordable housing.

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their housing conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. For more information or to donate, visit SussexCountyHabitat.org.

About Milford Housing Development Corporation (MHDC)
MHDC is a mission-driven non-profit housing developer with a sensible approach and a caring environment for people of modest means. First formed in 1977 by residents who saw a need for affordable housing solutions. MHDC is known for their open-minded approach, commitment to quality, and possesses a caring and sound passion for clients and staff alike. MHDC provides rental housing, homeownership opportunities, emergency home repairs, home rehabilitation services, and credit counseling.

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1 Drebohl, A., L. Ross, R. Ayala. 2020. How High are Energy Burdens? American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
https://www.aceee.org/research-report/u2006. Webinar: https://www.aceee.org/webinar/how-high-are-household-energy-burdens-report-findings and-policy-solutions can be complex.

2 Hayes, S., M. MacPherson, C. Gerbode, and L. Ross. 2022. Pathways to Healthy, Affordable, Decarbonized Housing: A State Scorecard. Washington, DC: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. www.aceee.org/research-report/h2201.