News

Rural LISC commits nearly $560,000 in grants to 37 community-based nonprofits to support Healthy Housing projects across rural America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Nadia Villagrán
                    nvillagran@lisc.org
                    760-641-3307

August 1, 2018 (Washington, D.C.) – Rural LISC is pleased to announce that it has committed nearly $560,000 in grants to 37 community-based nonprofit partners across rural America during the fourth round of the Rural LISC Wells Fargo Healthy Housing Initiative. The selected partners proposed to tackle Healthy Housing in a variety of ways, such as use of energy efficient appliances and low VOC paint, implementing community gardens, promoting walkability and transitioning to smoke-free housing.

The 2018 grantees include:

One awardee, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation in London, Ky., is working to drastically improve the living conditions of residents in its 22-county service area in southeastern Kentucky who occupy unfit, outdated manufactured homes and mobile homes.  Pictured above is an exterior view a new home in Somerset, Ky.
One awardee, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation in London, Ky., is working to drastically improve the living conditions of residents in its 22-county service area in southeastern Kentucky who occupy unfit, outdated manufactured homes and mobile homes. Pictured above is an exterior view a new home in Somerset, Ky.

The Healthy Housing Initiative began in 2015 with a grant from the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation to Rural LISC to support healthy housing across rural America. Wells Fargo has remained a primary supporter of the Initiative over the past four years, which has resulted in access to safe, affordable housing and improved health outcomes for low income individuals and families across rural America.

“The Healthy Housing Initiative would not be possible but for the generous support of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation,” said Rural LISC Vice President Suzanne Anarde. “A very real fact in rural America is that it is rife with dilapidated, unhealthy housing: manufactured homes that are no longer safe, rundown and decaying homes. This Initiative is giving a major jump-start to our Partners who are improving housing conditions across rural America, setting a new standard in providing safe and affordable housing – and, more importantly, improving the health outcomes – for countless low and moderate income individuals and families.”

“The Healthy Housing Initiative would not be possible but for the generous support of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation.”
— Suzanne Anarde, LISC Vice President and Rural LISC Director

Some of the 2018 projects include:

Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire; Great Barrington, MA
CDC of South Berkshire will continue implementation of its Healthy Housing Initiative by increasing its in-house capacity for Green building and energy efficiency design. The CBO will develop the Bentley Apartments, implementing a comprehensive list of Healthy Housing design components, including the use of no-VOC interior paints and low VOC carpets, flooring and adhesive; appliances with low water utilization; zero-net ready units (net zero with addition of solar); sealing the building envelope against air infiltration; installing Energy Star labeled appliances; and more. Healthy management practices will include:  integrated pest management, non-toxic cleaning supplies, non-smoking communities, non-toxic lawn care products and ice-melt during snow removal, recycling promotion and instruction, and more.

Rural Neighborhoods, Inc.; Florida City, FL
Rural Neighborhoods’ My Community, My Health Initiative is the health component of Rural Neighborhoods’ Eden Park-Esperanza Place (EP2Mi Casa – Kominote M Revitalization Plan. Rural Neighborhoods will implement smoke-free housing for 219 households at the Eden Gardens, Esperanza Place and Main Street Village rental communities, contributing in increased public health through by limiting second hand smoke.

Rural Neighborhoods will also construct a model community garden in the Eden Park neighborhood providing local food opportunities to 41 low income households.  Nutrition education and healthy cooking classes will accompany the garden and will help parents, adults and children understand the benefits of fresh food and alternate ways to cook healthier meals.  Exercise will be encouraged through the mapping, layout and promotion of neighborhood pathways that incorporate sidewalks.

Self-Help Homes; Provo, UT
Self-Help Homes (SHH) has recently expanded to southern Utah and will build 25 energy efficient homes in rural areas of southern Utah as well as in Utah and Wasatch counties in the northern part of the state.  The 25 single-family homes SHH will develop will be energy efficient, Energy Star homes with low VOC and low water utilization. In addition, a large 120 home subdivision developed by SHH will incorporate a portion of the city trail system into their subdivision design to encourage a walkable community. Healthy Housing practices will be taught as part of SHH’s homebuyer education and certification classes as well.

About Rural LISC
Launched in 1995, Rural LISC is the rural component of the largest community development support organization in the country, called LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation). For 23 years, Rural LISC has listened and partnered with rural communities, helping to forge innovative solutions that lead to prosperity and opportunity. Rural LISC provides a wide range of services, including financial support, training, technical assistance and information to help rural community developers address the problems rural communities face. This assistance comes in the form of loans and grants, national policy support and technical and management assistance. Since 1995, Rural LISC’s investments in rural America have totaled $1.2 billion in grants, equity and low-cost loan funds. Rural LISC has leveraged this investment resulting in $3.05 billion from public and private sources, to produce 34,629 affordable homes and apartments, create 4.2 million square feet of commercial and community space, assist 670 businesses, create 10,500 jobs and support 20 early childhood centers. By generating resources and investing in the grassroots efforts of its 86 partner community-based organizations, Rural LISC is committed to making rural communities good places to live, work, do business and raise children. Learn more at www.lisc.org/rural.