Low-income families are often forced to sacrifice energy efficiency and the environmental health of their homes for the sake of a bargain. Not so for five families in Northfield, MN. Thanks to a partnership between several local organizations, five foreclosed homes are being re-envisioned as models of energy efficient, affordable housing.
Three Rivers Community Action in Northfield, MN has led the effort to provide affordable and energy efficient housing to local families with its Home Matters project. The organization, in collaboration with other affordable housing initiatives, purchases foreclosed homes, renovates them to meet energy efficiency and environmental health standards, and then sells them at discounts to low-income families.
The Home Matters project, according to Three Rivers Project Manager Maggie Haight, came about from an initial collaboration between Three Rivers, the Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund. With a focus on green housing, the partners found that working together opened up the opportunity to launch larger outreach and educational efforts.
Historically for many low-income families affordable housing options include mostly older models that are in poor condition. These houses are more likely to have chronic mold, lead-based paint, poor insulation, and/or inefficient appliances. Since money is tight for many of these families, investment in home improvements is usually unfeasible; these homes often pose the risk of health problems and create huge utility bills.
A grant from SE CERT allowed for the installation of a solar water heater in the property located at 406 8th Street. The solar heater is the “crown jewel” of all the improvements made to the house. Thanks to collaboration between Three Rivers and the SE CERT, the family living at 406 8th Street will pay $800 less a year in water heating bills than the previous owners. This, in addition to the $1,452 savings per year gained from other home improvements, adds up to a total of $2,252 saved every year.
About the Local Government Energy Action Series:
This effort tells the stories of Minnesota municipalities, counties, and schools and the tangible results of their energy-saving efforts to inspire others to take their own actions.
