Weatherization and
Rehab: A Holistic
Approach
Kahya Fox
Couleecap, Inc.
Overview
• Explain and give examples of how
Rehabilitation Programs,
Weatherization Programs, and Habitat
for Humanity can work together, share
resources, and help families.
Where to Start?
• You can begin working together at the
very beginning.
• Start with client intake:
– Couleecap’s Case Manager position
• Triage all incoming Rehab and Weatherization
calls
• Determines ALL client needs
• One-Stop-Shop for assessment
• Mostly funded with HUD Counseling funds
Rehab  Weatherization
• Inspection = two options:
– Schedule audit and initial rehab inspection
together
– Note rehab work on Weatherization file—
talk after all inspections have been
completed
Rehab  Weatherization
• Common work that Weatherization
can do:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Insulation
Furnace work
Bath or kitchen fans
Refrigerators
Dryer venting
Small electrical repairs
Other small repairs
Rehab  Weatherization
• Process
– Rehab first!
– Let Weatherization staff know when work is
completed
• Must have a system in place.
Rehab  Weatherization
Before
Rehab  Weatherization
After
Rehab  Weatherization
• Project Overview
– Rehab costs = $22,000
– Amount of Weatherization work to be
completed on home = Approximately
$10,000
• Conversion of wood burning stove
• New refrigerator
• Lots of insulation!
Weatherization  Rehab
• Auditor inspects home and must defer
• Common reasons for deferral:
– Roof leaks
– Hot water heaters
– Electrical work
– Larger areas where air is leaking—drywall
– Lack of SIR (Savings to Investment Ratio)
Weatherization  Rehab
• Auditor forwards explanation and
pictures to housing staff
– Sends client a deferral letter
• Housing staff work with homeowner to
begin rehab process
– Works best with AHP and HPG funds
– Works best with smaller priced projects
Weatherization  Rehab
• Project completion
– Rehab staff let Weatherization know when
work is complete
• AHP Weatherization Deferral Program
– Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank
– $180,000 for 30 projects over 12 months
– $6,000 average cost per house
– Extremely successful!
Success in Numbers!
AHP
Total
Projects
Contract
Amount
Wx Match
# of Wx
Projects
Rural Rehab 2010
25
$150,000
$51,006.44
8
Rural Rehab 2011
30
$180,000
$68,623.18
14
Rural Dev. Rehab
2011
10
$75,000
$27,796.89
4
Accessibility 2011
20
$120,000
$53,815.68
9
Wx Deferral 2011
25
$150,000
$103,054.20
25
Wx Deferral 2012
25
$240,000
25
Wx Deferral 2013
30
$180,000
30
TOTALS
165
$1,095,000 $304,296.33 115
Weatherization  Rehab
• Example: Park Avenue, Hillsboro, WI




Replace roof
Drywall garage ceiling
Replace door from garage to basement
Total cost of rehab = $4,295 in a forgivable
loan
 Received $5,296.75 in Weatherization
Weatherization  Rehab
Weatherization  Rehab
• Example: Cascade Road, Sparta
New Septic System—Total Cost $13,125.36
Before
After
Weatherization then completed $23,638.09 worth of
energy saving work
Habitat  Weatherization
• Habitat’s Critical Repair Program
– How they do it
• Habitat selects partner families based on
income, need and willingness to partner.
• Habitat affiliates use volunteer labor and
donated materials to keep costs low and take
no profit for their services.
Habitat  Weatherization
• Habitat’s Critical Repair Program
– Why it matters
• This program ensures that families live in safe
and well-maintained homes.
• The program is designed to revitalize the
appearance of the neighborhood, encourage
connections within the community, and most
importantly, help preserve affordable housing
stock.
Habitat  Weatherization
• Example: Usher St, La Crosse
 Need to insulate and sheet rock the outside wall
on left side of furnace
 Need to tie up wires that have no termination point
 Need to sheet rock and seal around duct work
above furnace
 Need to sheet rock and seal around duct work that
follows down the bulkhead that goes down the
hallway.
Habitat  Weatherization
Before Pictures
Habitat  Weatherization
After Pictures
Habitat  Weatherization
• Project Overview
– Habitat costs = less than $200
– Amount of Weatherization work completed
on home = $4,001.80
– Annual estimated energy savings =
$2,400.00
Habitat  Weatherization
• Testimonial
“When Couleecap and Habitat for Humanity called to
do work on my home, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I
found out quickly that these are very nice people
who are able to come in and help me during my time
of need. My energy bills were costing between
$300 and $400 per month. With two children in
the house, I found it increasingly difficult to have
to choose between utilities and groceries.
Habitat  Weatherization
• Testimonial
It becomes a pride and humility issue when you get
to a point to have to ask for assistance, especially
when you don’t know who is coming into your home.
While this project was underway, I was treated with
the utmost respect and kindness. My only hope is to
someday be able to pay it forward and instill the
gratitude to those around us and ‘do unto others’.
Habitat  Weatherization
• Testimonial
I received my first energy bill after completion of this
project and it read $79.00. I actually had to call
because I thought it was a mistake. The following
month, my bill was $94.00. I finally could breathe a
sigh of relief that this project proved to be exactly
what they told me it would do.
You will never know how much this program has
changed my family’s life. It has given me a new
lease of hope to actually start to get ahead.
Habitat  Weatherization
• Testimonial
I received my first energy bill after completion of this
project and it read $79.00. I actually had to call
because I thought it was a mistake. The following
month, my bill was $94.00. I finally could breathe a
sigh of relief that this project proved to be exactly
what they told me it would do.
You will never know how much this program has
changed my family’s life. It has given me a new
lease of hope to actually start to get ahead.
Habitat  Weatherization
• AHP Habitat for Humanity
– New funding for 2014
– $60,000 to complete 10 projects
• Average of $6,000 per unit
– In conjunction with Critical Home Repair
– Habitat gets $500 coordination fee
• Have allowed them to hire part-time coordinator
– 3 projects in progress
Habitat  Weatherization
• AHP Habitat for Humanity
– Complete joint inspections with Habitat,
Rehab, and Weatherization staff
Project ReNEW
Project ReNEW
• Purpose
– Revitalizing Neighborhood Empowerment
With La Crosse Neighborhoods
– A partnership of neighbors, non-profit and
public agencies, local businesses and
community members working together for
neighborhood revitalization.
Project ReNEW
• History
– Started with a conversation with Viterbo
University
– Couleecap VISTA volunteers
– Launched in 2013
• 51 projects
• Over 1,000 volunteer labor hours
ReNEW Collaboration
Couleeca
p
Landlords
Habitat for
Humanity
Neighbor
hood
Associati
ons
Homeowners
Neighborh
ood Big
Interest
Schools
City and
County
Governmen
t
Churches
Community
Volunteers
Contractors/
Suppliers
Local
Business
Colleges
Project ReNEW
• What do we do?
– In 2014, the ReNew Program is providing
Neighborhood Revitalization in two La
Crosse Neighborhoods.
– Every weekend from May 4 through June 7
Project ReNEW
• Programs
– Over 200 volunteers
– Couleecap Rehabilitation and Weatherization
programs
– City of La Crosse CDBG funding
– City of La Crosse Paint and Fix Up Program
– Habitat Critical Home Repair
– Local material donations
– Local funding
Project ReNEW
• Couleecap AHP ReNEW funds
– $180,000 for 30 projects
– Average of $6,000 for repairs
– Tied to ReNEW neighborhoods
Renee’s House-Before
Renee’s House-During
Renee’s House During
Renee’s House-After
"I am so grateful, I can't
thank them enough for
all the hard work
they're doing and it's so
heartwarming and it's
really emotional for
me.”
Renee’s Project
• Over 20 Volunteers for over 100 hours of
painting, fixing, and landscaping
• $7,580.50 in AHP Rehabilitation
• $800 in City of La Crosse Paint and Fix-up
Funding
• Flowers and shrubs were donated by local
landscaping companies and Home Depot
Benefits of Working Together
• Provides holistic approach to client services
• Saves money for homeowners
• Weatherization can be match dollars for
rehab funding
• Funds stretch farther
• Allows deferrals to proceed
• Everyone benefits
• Builds relationships
Watch Out
• DOE money for Weatherization projects are
federal funds – can trigger lead rules for
rehab (ex. HOME and CDBG)
• Must have good communication between
staff
• Process for rehab can take longer
• Extra time to coordinate (especially with
volunteers)
Thank you!
• Any questions?
• Contact Information
– Kahya Fox
• 608-634-7388