Collaboration helps Washington Co. residents stay safe, save money at home

A cooperation in between the not-for-profit Community Action and Energy Trust is assisting individuals in Washington County remain in their homes thanks to totally free home improvements and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Given that 2019, Energy Trust has actually been working with Community Action, the neighborhood action firm serving Washington County, to money weatherization and heating jobs, integrating Energy Trust rewards with Oregon Housing and Community Services funds to help each consumer do more or bigger enhancements.
Community Action was also the first community-based company to participate in Energy Trusts Community Partner Funding pathway, which provides higher rewards for home upgrades.
These important energy upgrades make being at house more budget friendly and comfy for households with low earnings. As COVID-19 forced people to spend more time in your home, high energy bills and inefficient home heating threatened the ability of some to remain in their homes.
” We understand seniors and Oregonians on lower or fixed incomes were hit harder financially throughout the pandemic,” said Kemp Shuey, executive director of Community Action. “Its terrific to be able to assist these households and individuals, making their homes safer, more comfortable and more cost effective.”
The average cost to weatherize a home is about $6,000 to $7,000; larger jobs like installing a brand-new heating system or duct work can be upwards of $20,000. While Community Action receives financing from a range of sources, moneying from Energy Trust that makes these bigger tasks possible.
With the aid of Energy Trust, Community Action was able to serve more than 200 houses last. Some of the people Community Action has actually assisted include fixed-income senior citizens who were worried about being able to remain in their houses due to high energy costs.
Energy Trust is now working to establish this funding model with other community action companies throughout Oregon.
Find out more about how Energy Trust is working with neighborhoods to bring benefits to more customers in the 2020 Annual Report.