SCACED grants Rebuild Upstate with funds to pilot weatherization program

SCACED grants Rebuild Upstate with funds to pilot weatherization program

GREENVILLE, S.C. – To jumpstart a new year of reparations, Rebuild Upstate has received a grant award of $10,444 to pilot a weatherization program from the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development’s Community Impact Fund.

The purpose of the Community Impact Fund (CIF) is to make grants available to member organizations for capacity building initiatives, development of affordable housing and/or other economic development projects. The CIF was born from generous funding by the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation.

To put in perspective the necessity of this generosity, twenty-three grant applications that totaled $292,944 were submitted with only $75,000 of funding available.

Te weatherization program is intended to help low-income households become more self-sufficient through preserving affordable housing, alleviating the long term financial impact of utility bills, and implementing energy conservation practices. Through this weatherization pilot program, Rebuild Upstate will be able to extend its current initiative of keeping homes safe and healthy by creating a sustainable solution to ensure the long term efficiency of each home.

In 2020, two homes will be repaired and weatherized to reduce monthly energy bills and increase the financial stability of local low-income homeowners.

Based on data from the Department of Energy, WalletHub ranked South Carolina 48th out of 48 ranked states in-home energy efficiency. The Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program identified once a home is weatherized, an average homeowner saves $514 in medical expenses and fewer missed workdays averaging $583 in annual savings. Combined with the 900 plus homeowners currently waiting for repairs from Rebuild Upstate, the need for a combined weatherization/home rehabilitation program is needed now more than ever.

About Rebuild Upstate:

Rebuild Upstate is a nonprofit organization serving the Upstate of South Carolina. The nonprofit strengthens the communities by providing volunteers and materials to create a safe, healthy, sustainable home environment for disabled, low-income and elderly homeowners. The organization exclusively focuses on repairs and improving existing homes. The nonprofit is also the 2019 Greenville County Chamber of Commerce Max Heller award recipient. Learn more at www.rebuildupstate.org.