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Helping D.C. Residents Beat the Summer Heat

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on June 29, 2012
James_Jones_170James, a Senior Organizing Fellow with Groundswell, helps to build community interest in energy efficiency projects in low-income communities in D.C.

As the summer goes into full swing, D.C. residents will begin to see hotter and longer days with record temperatures and humidity levels. 


While many of us can seek refuge in the comfort of our well air-conditioned homes, there are thousands of District residents who are left with no choice but to endure the intense summer weather for which D.C. is well-known.

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All around D.C. there are senior citizens, disabled persons and families on fixed incomes who live in homes with inadequate heating and cooling systems. This poses problems for the health and wellness of these residents, as well as their overall quality of life.

Groundswell has partnered with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU) to address this problem head on. 

As part of the DC Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, Groundswell is actively engaging low-income D.C. homeowners to spread the word about financial incentives available through the Federal Home Loan Bank Program.

This program offers up to $12,000 to D.C. homeowners who are income-qualified for weatherization work on their home.

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This is the first program of its kind to hit the District and its received a great initial response from D.C. homeowners. 

Weatherization has long been viewed as a luxury that low-income families could not afford even though they would benefit greatly from the energy savings the projects would yield.
On average, families can expect to save 30 percent on their household utilities annually after completion of a weatherization project.  

Recently, I had the pleasure of introducing this program to the Anacostia community located in Southeast D.C.  On June 26,  I held an energy meeting at the Anacostia Library on 1800 Good Hope Road Southeast. 

The outcome of the meeting was epic. 

Residents were ecstatic about the opportunity to save money on their utility bills and make their homes more comfortable. Several Ward 8 homeowners began the loan application process. 

Morale among homeowners is at an all time high in the Ward.  I've seen an influx of calls from other D.C. homeowners who have been informed about the program through very enthusiastic word of mouth.  

It looks like Summer 2012 will provide us all with a model of private-public partnerships that work to provide relief and sustainability to those who need it most.  

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates on our progress.
 
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Comments (3)

  1. Valerie makes this comment

    Wednesday, 04 July 2012

    This sounds like a remarkable program. It is most definitely needed because there are too many people dying from this extreme heat. I feel like this program will give low income families the opportunity to stay cool during the summertime without breaking bank. I look at it as not just a monetary relief but as a life saving method. Elderly and disabled heat exhaustion deaths can end here. Keep up the good work Groundswell and DC SEU and continue saving our communities one step at a time.

  2. Cheryl Lane makes this comment

    Wednesday, 04 July 2012

    This is an excellent program that will help those who are at risk from the heat stay cool during the summer. This was a great initiative so kudos to whomever.

  3. Abre' Conner makes this comment

    Monday, 02 July 2012

    This is such an amazing program! I am really happy to see the work that Groundswell has implemented. It seems that James has really helped to move things along in the area. Great Job!
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