Charlottesville’s Local Energy Alliance Program Secures $1.9 Million for Low-Income Housing Energy Efficiency

For Immediate Release: August 26, 2010

Contact: Cynthia Adams, LEAP – 434.825.0232

Charlottesville’s Local Energy Alliance Program Secures $1.9 Million for Low-Income Housing Energy Efficiency Innovative Weatherization Program to Support Landlords, Tenants in Charlottesville and Hampton Roads Charlottesville, VA – The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) based in Charlottesville has been awarded $1.9 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to improve energy and water efficiency in low-income multifamily housing in the Charlottesville-Albemarle and Hampton Roads communities. LEAP will work in partnership with the Green Jobs Alliance based in Hampton Roads to provide landlords with investment-grade audit, one-stop contracting and financing options as well as run a comprehensive tenant engagement program. The program is expected to launch in early 2011. How your readers/viewers/listeners can get involved: Any interested landlords of multifamily low-income housing units should contact LEAP at info@leap-va.org or 434.227.4666. “Energy efficiency is a proven win-win for landlords and tenants alike, and low-income multifamily housing should not be an exception. LEAP is proud to have secured the funding, and we look forward to collaborating with community partners like AHIP and CRHA to launch this innovative program,” said Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of LEAP. “One of the great things about the program this grant will fund is that it focuses not only on the buildings but also on those who live in them. The tenant education component will help residents realize even more savings,” Dave Norris, Mayor of Charlottesville. “It is clear that there are many sources of funds – public and private – to finance innovative energy programs such as LEAP. The issue is which communities are going to have the drive and skills to acquire those resources and put them to good use for their local citizens and businesses. LEAP is doing that for our area, and I am grateful for those who have given their time to get this going,” said Dennis Rooker, Albemarle County Supervisor. “Charlottesville Redevelopment Housing Authority is very interested in pursuing a partnership with LEAP to use some of these grant dollars to upgrade the energy efficiency on low income multi-family property we own. It’s a great opportunity,” said Randy Bickers, Executive Director of the Charlottesville Redevelopment Housing Authority. “AHIP is thrilled about this opportunity to reduce energy and water consumption at Park’s Edge Apartments. We are always looking for ways to reduce expenses and to reduce the environmental impact of 96 apartments, and we hope to work very closely with LEAP to make this happen at Park’s Edge,” said Jennifer Jacobs, Executive Director of the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) which owns and operates Park’s Edge, a 96-unit, 100-percent affordable rental community in the urban ring of Albemarle County. LEAP expects to show the proof of ESCO concept in low-income multifamily housing and the additional efficiency gains that are possible through a comprehensive tenant engagement and maintenance training program. The program will leverage existing energy and water conservation and financing programs, including those offered by utilities, foundation money, and private lending. LEAP is a nonprofit energy services organization which works with local residents, businesses, utilities, and government to provide cost savings, create jobs, and stimulate the local economy through energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. http://leap-va.org.