From LIGHT Leading Innovation for a Green and Healthy Tomorrow To CREATES Coordinating Resources to Effectively Align and Transform Energy Services Ken Strong, Deputy Commissioner Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development
A Stimulus for Change Summer 2009 – Baltimore receives $15.7 million stimulus weatherization Production goal - 2,400 units over 3 years 50% Deferral/Rejection due to Roofing, heating, plumbing, lead paint, etc.
Navigating a Fragmented System Client interested in weatherization Mails applicationIncomplete app, submits additional info Submits information, app certified Energy auditDeferred due to health & safety Mail deferral letter Client applies to repair program Client goes through process with new program Client reapplies for weatherization, starts over Other underlying factors unaddressed (Financial distress, health issues, family problems, etc.)
Green, Healthy and Sustainable Seeds Movement led by Ruth Ann Norton and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) The Baltimore Energy Challenge is piloted by the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability Baltimore Green and Healthy Learning Network is formed bringing together: – non-profit organizations –government agencies –foundations
Network Development (funded initially by Living Cities) GHHI Learning Network Mission statement & goals Establish standards for success Identify policy and programmatic barriers Establish working groups to address continuing issues LIGHT Team Asset mapping program resources Individual case coordination Streamlined referral and case management Ongoing network and capacity building
LIGHT Organizational Development Stimulus weatherization ramp-up Alignment of energy/lead/rehab services under Division of Green, Healthy & Sustainable Homes Coordination of programs through centralized case management unit Integration of services across funding sources Clients screened for 50 various public and non-profit program services
Case Study – Ms. J Multi-generational family with: –High energy bills –Chipping/peeling paint with a young child in the house –Disabled senior citizen with a history of falls –No carbon monoxide or smoke detectors –Young adult currently unemployed –Unstable basement steps, electrical hazards, steps leading to bilco door collapsed, masonry work needed –Clutter throughout the house Ms. J applies for weatherization. In the old system, she is immediately deferred service and that is the end of it.
The LIGHT Solution LIGHT provides a structured path to navigate the different services available to help keep someone strong and stable in their home. –Lead Abatement to address chipping/peeling paint –Office of Rehabilitation Services for structural defects –Weatherization Program for high energy bills –Johns Hopkins program: senior home repairs/nursing visits –City Office of Aging - home support services –Project Lightbulb (Civic Works) for CO and smoke detectors –Maryland New Directions for employment –Food voucher for immediate needs –Come Home Baltimore (volunteer veterans): de-cluttering
Funding and Partnership Development Key Partnerships: > Green and Healthy Homes Initiative > Rebuilding Together Baltimore > Civic Works Key Funders > Living Cities (getting started) > Baltimore Community Foundation (fiduciary) > Abell Foundation (benefits screening) > BGE Foundation ($1 million-roofing/heating)
Transformative Opportunity Establishes $113.5 million “Customer Investment Fund” to address energy efficiency and assistance needs of low-income families in the BGE territory Baltimore City wins $52.7 million in a four-agency partnership called CREATES. February 2012 – Maryland Public Service Commission conditionally approves Exelon-Constellation Energy merger
CREATES Team Coordinating Resources to Effectively Align & Transform Energy Services General Services Housing and Community Development Planning Mayor's Office of Human Services CREATES
CREATES Model
Community Empowerment Community-based energy education Urban heat island mitigation Non-profit retrofits & upgrades Cogeneration
Case Management EarnBenefits Services (23) Medical Assistance Food Supplement Program WIC Health Insurance/Benefits Child Care Subsidy Head Start/Early Head Start Temporary Cash Assistance Earned Income Tax Credit LIGHT Services (36) Home repair Energy conservation Healthy homes Fall/injury prevention Foreclosure counseling Accessibility improvements Utility assistance Infant & maternal health
Energy Efficiency Targeted to mid-to-high energy users Combines energy education and home retrofit –Programmable Thermostat –Pipe insulation –SmartStrip Powerstrip –CFL & LED bulbs –Faucet aerator/low flow showerhead –Energy education materials
Energy Efficiency Plus - $20 million Leverages DOE Weatherization ($3 million) and State Empower MD ($16 million) –Heating system replacements inc. oil-to-gas –Weatherization enhancements –Energy efficient rehabilitation loans –Cool roofing –Health & safety –Coordination with non-profit partners
Reorganized Division of Green, Healthy & Sustainable Homes Intake & Case Management Lending Field & Contractor Mgmt Fiscal Certify eligibility for all Division funds Underwrite for all loan dollars Scope and assign all work Centralized payment and invoicing
Lessons Learned
Make Public/Non-Profit Partnerships Real –GHHI and Civic Works are now CREATES contractors –Rebuilding Together Baltimore receives grants to complement CREATES Embrace the Foundation Community –Civic Works won $1 million foundation grant for fall/injury prevention in CREATES homes –Foundations are building upon our comprehensive benefits programs
Lessons Learned Organizational Reform – Break Down Government Silos –Client Track working across four city agencies –City Housing designated “public health agency” –Coordinating water and energy conservation Streamline Applications, Assessments, and Contracting
Lessons Learned Develop Economies of Scale –Support affordable rental housing projects –Geographic & community-based concentration Invest in Measurements and Evaluation –Wego Wise for energy savings –State health for medicaid savings –University of Baltimore – community benefits Keep Your Eyes on the Prize