Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County partners with Jewish Foundation for Group Homes
June 15, 2011
HFH-MC Weatherizes 20 JFGH Homes through grant from Maryland Energy Administration
Gaithersburg, MD (June 15, 2011) – Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, MD, Inc. (HFH-MC) partnered with the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH) in an effort to increase energy efficiency by providing free, home weatherization services to 20 JFGH homes in Montgomery County though HFH-MC’s new Home Weatherization program.
HFH-MC’s weatherization program is designed to help low to moderate income households in Montgomery County make their homes more energy efficient through air sealing, insulation installation and the installation of energy saving fixtures and light bulbs. Scope of work for each home is developed based upon a professional home energy audit. Based on a post audit, performed to measure energy improvement, JFGH should see a median improvement of 20% in their group homes.
The JFGH Residential Program assists men and women over the age of 18 with one or more of the following; intellectual disabilities with a wide range of limitations, mobility impairments, deafness/hearing impairments, visual impairments, learning disabilities, chronic mental illness, communication disorders, and other developmental disabilities. JFGH serves clients who fall well below 50% of area median income and most are Medicaid eligible.
The HFH-MC Weatherization program is currently funded by the EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program administered by the Maryland Energy Administration. This competitive grant program allows organizations like HFH-MC help low to moderate income residents in Maryland ensure their homes remain financially and environmentally sustainable so they can focus on thriving and not just surviving. The Weatherization program, as one component of HFH-MC’s effort to revitalize Montgomery County communities, aligns with HFH-MC’s long term goals of serving more families and focusing on environmentally sustainably practices and programs.
Jessica Reid, HFH-MC’s Director of Volunteer and Family Services, says of the program and partnership “The partnership came along at the right time. JFGH had a need and HFH-MC had the resources to meet that need. We are thrilled that through the partnership HFH-MC has served 20 additional sites and 89 individuals”. Since HFH-MC launched the home weatherization program 33 homes have been weatherized and a total of 115 individuals have been served. The program is open to any low to moderate income homeowners in Montgomery County and more information on the program and the application form are available at www.habitat-mc.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County
HFH-MC is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Since 1982, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County has been partnering with the community and low-income families living in substandard conditions, to build simple, decent, affordable housing. To date, HFH-MC has served 95 local families. HFH-MC supports the notion that good, stable housing matters for neighborhoods. Better quality of living leads to stronger citizens and families. Habitat for Humanity is about changing lives, one home at a time. Visit our website at www.habitat-mc.org.
About Jewish Foundation for Group Homes
JFGH is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the independence, dignity, choice, and community inclusion of all individuals with disabilities without regard for religious, ethnic, racial, or national origin. Since its inception in 1982, the agency has grown to provide support to more than 180 individuals at more than 70 sites throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area. JFGH is one of 41 charities in the nation to receive Charity Navigator’s top 4-star ranking for 9 consecutive years. JFGH is also one of 200 organizations that have received the Standards for Excellence. The Standards for Excellence certification is based on fundamental values, guiding principles, and over 54 benchmarks outlining the highest standards for ethical practices and accountability in nonprofit management and programming.
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