1. Rehabilitation Single-Family Housing to Green Standards NACCED Conference October 1, 2012 Lisa Henning, Asst. Director of Community & Economic Development lhenning@dakotacda.state.mn.us (651)-675-4467 www.dakotacda.org

2. Dakota County, Minnesota Th i rd largest county within the seven-county metropolitan Minneapolis-St. Paul area Bordered on east by Mississippi River 21 cities 13 rural townships 2010 Population: 398,552 2010 Median Household Income: $69,508 Median Home Sale Price: $160,000

3. CDBG Program Dakota County became an entitlement county in 1984 CDA administers CDBG and HOME programs on behalf of Dakota County 14 sub-recipients Primary Uses Decreased funding

4. Home Improvement Loan Program began at CDA in the late 1970s in variety of forms In 1985 created CDBG-funded Housing Rehab program providing low/mod income households a minimum of $15,000 and maximum of $25,000 to improve home Deferred, zero interest loan Common improvements include adding insulation, furnace replacement, and exterior upgrades (roofs, siding, windows) In-house expertise

5. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Created under Title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976, which was designed to cut heating bills and save imported oil Overall goal to reduce the burden of energy prices on the disadvantaged Provides cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades Available to income-eligible households (homeowners and renters); 50% AMI No cost to the residents Typically Administered by Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies Average $7,500 cost per household

6. Weatherization Plus (WxPlus) Pilot Program Developed due to: – Interest from CDBG municipal sub-recipient (Energy & Environment Advisory Commission) – Decrease in weatherization DOE funding – Capitalize on in-house experience – Expansion of Weatherization services CDBG eligible activity (CFR 24 Part 570.202, eligible rehabilitation and preservation activities)

7. WxPlus Program Details Clientele: homeowners between 50% - 80% of AMI Funding: CDBG-funded, minimum of $4,000 and maximum of $8,500 Loan: Zero interest, no monthly payment. Forgivable after 15 years, with graduated forgiveness Eligible work based upon DOE and State of Minnesota eligible items, requires 1.0 SIR More restrictive than housing rehab program; homeowner needs to agree with identified eligible items

8. WxPlus Distinctive Components Energy Audit Energy Education Energy Conservation Improvements Required health & safety components

9. Weatherization Energy Audit Utility bill analysis before going to home Client interview/survey Visual inspection and shell measurements Attic(s) Sidewalls Foundation Doors and windows Health and safety (smoke detectors, CO monitors, clothes dryer venting, exhaust fans, etc.) Blower door tests Furnace/boiler and water heater inspection and testing

10. Weatherization Energy Audit

11. Energy Conservation Improvements Using a whole-house or systems approach, cost-effective measures are identified and installed: Insulation (attic, sidewall) Air sealing Heating system repair or replacement Water heater repair or replacement Window and door repair General repair and health and safety improvements Baseload energy reduction (domestic hot water and electrical)

12. Weatherization & Housing Rehab Components WxPlus provides energy conservation services to eligible households combined with expertise and components from the housing rehab program WAP components – Energy Audit – Energy Education – Eligible energy conservation work items – Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR) Housing Rehab components – Income Verification – Administering loans

13. WxPlus Next Steps Implementation Fall/Winter 2012 Future WxPlus addition to measure and address indoor air quality elements HUD Healthy Homes Program Initiative (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program _offices/healthy_homes/hhi)http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program _offices/healthy_homes/hhi