Title
GCRA and CWC Partnership (B)
Explanation
The proposed Reinvestment Area Home Energy and Water Efficiency Initiative is a partnership between the Community Weatherization Coalition (CWC) of Alachua County and Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA). The vision of this Initiative is to strengthen neighborhoods by maintaining the culture and population of the district neighborhoods through long term residency. The mission being to directly benefit community members by lowering their monthly utility bill and thus increasing the number of energy and water efficient homes in the District. Residents with inefficient appliances, poorly functioning air conditioning, and water leaks may spend hundreds to thousands of dollars in additional annual costs. In addition, areas of poor quality housing and a large numbers of inefficient homes can destabilize communities by leading to a high turnover rate for permanent residents.
The CWC currently provides free services to homeowners through the Home Energy Tune-up (Tier 1) and Upgrade (Tier 2) Programs. The Tune-up (Tier 1) Program offers a free kit that contains water and energy saving supplies, as well as education on conservation behaviors. These supplies include energy-efficient light bulbs, water-saving showerheads, and toilet tank displacement bags. The Upgrade (Tier 2) Program offers more permanent energy upgrade services such as installation of attic and underfloor insulation, water heater replacement, and window pane replacement. Both programs are designed to lower the residential energy cost burden-or the percent of a resident's annual household income that goes toward energy costs.
Through the partnership, the GCRA would provide funding for each low income participant or lessor (within the district) the CWC provides services to. The objective is to increase the number of energy and water efficient homes and expand the program to rental property owners (lessors). By helping residents save money on ene...
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