Avoca Home Receives Free Weatherization...
Southeast Nebraska Community Action Celebrates 300th Weatherized Home in Avoca
On May 10, 2012, Southeast Nebraska Community Action celebrated completion of the 300th home weatherized under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. The Avoca home of Kathy Neumeister and her children received new windows and doors, insulation, and repairs made to a leaky basement door, which will result in increased energy savings for this single mom and her family.
Ginger Willson, Director of the Nebraska Energy Office, commented on the partnership among the Nebraska Energy Office and community action agencies throughout the state and the challenge put forth to these agencies during the past three years resulting in a massive expansion of the low income weatherization assistance program as a result of Recovery Act dollars. It's wonderful to see the effects the program has in a face, and a name, and a house and all the hard work the SENCA Weatherization team has accomplished The SENCA team has not only met the challenge, but they have exceeded it with the utmost level of professionalism and quality in everything they have done.
Rick Adam's, SENCA Housing Director, set an original goal to complete 242 homes by the end of the program on March 31, 2012. The staff worked diligently to hire and train employees working not only to meet, but exceed the original goal by completing 292 homes a full month ahead of the deadline. Because of the effort put forth by SENCA staff, their Recovery Act funding has been extended through October 2012, with a new goal of 365 homes. This investment of more than $2.7 million will help economically challenged households in southeast Nebraska become more energy efficient, allowing them an opportunity to better meet their monthly expenses.
Ad and Word of Mouth
Avoca homeowner, Kathy Neumeister was very grateful for the repairs made to her home, especially for the new windows that she would not have been able to afford without the help of the SENCA Weatherization Program. Kathy explained she saw the weatherization services ad in a local newspaper so she called the SENCA office in Humboldt and requested an application. Kathy told other people about the program and as a result, neighbors in her community have been able to benefit from the program as well. Homes that have received Weatherization services will realize an average savings of $600 per year in their utility costs, which should result in an overall decrease in the number of households requesting utility assistance.
Other speakers at the event included Vicky McNealy, SENCA Executive Director; Rick Adams, SENCA Housing Director; and Roger Furrer, Community Action of Nebraska Executive Director.
More information regarding weatherization services can be found at the Energy Office website or by calling 402.471.2867.