Description
Healthy Homes
The Healthy Homes Saint Paul program will provide pre-weatherization and weatherization services to 1- to 4-unit residential properties occupied by low- to moderate-income households (homeowners and renters). Pre-weatherization and weatherization repairs enhance comfort, well-being, and safety and can contribute to lower energy costs and reduced emissions. Living in a home that needs basic repairs and uses excess energy is a source of stress and financial strain that can put families at greater health, safety, and financial risks.
Many homes in Saint Paul can’t be weatherized because of pre-existing health and safety issues such as outdated and dangerous electrical wiring or insulation contaminated with asbestos. Healthy Homes will make homes safer and more livable by addressing these issues and making the home ready for weatherization. This process is called pre-weatherization.
Once homes are pre-weatherized, the Healthy Homes program will weatherize them, which involves adding attic and wall insulation and sealing air leaks around doors and windows. These Improvements will reduce energy bills, at a time when energy costs have been rising.
The Healthy Homes program seeks to deliver on several community concerns. These include stabilizing Saint Paul’s housing stock, improving the living conditions of low- to moderate-income households, lowering utility expenses, and reducing emissions.
The City will launch this program in the first half of 2025.
Power of Home
The Power of Home Saint Paul program will electrify 1- to 4-unit residential properties occupied by low-income households (homeowners and renters). Electrification seeks to replace household appliances and equipment that burn natural gas with their electric counterparts. The benefits of switching out gas furnaces, water heaters, ranges, and clothes dryers include reduced health risks, lowered emissions, and potentially reduced household utility costs.
Our community's reliance on natural gas is decreasing as households pivot to electric equipment alternatives, such as heat pumps and induction stoves. The last households to adopt electric appliances are likely to be lower-income due to the high upfront costs associated with the equipment. As the number of households using natural gas diminishes, the cost of natural gas per customer will increase because fewer customers will be left to support the natural gas infrastructure.
Lower-income households (less than or equal to 50% of the area median income) who receive assistance through Power of Home will benefit by living in a healthier and more comfortable home, and potentially realize savings through reduced energy use. All residents will benefit from reduced energy-related emissions and the potential of cost savings being reinvested into other purchases locally.
