Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax and America's oil and natural gas industry help make low-income homes more energy efficient ARLINGTON, Va., July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax, the local affiliate of the nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization, and America's oil and natural gas industry today helped residences of a Community Residence group home reduce their energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of their home. The rebuild is part of the Energy Efficient Homes Initiative, a national partnership between Rebuilding Together and America's oil and natural gas industry, which incorporates energy efficiency into home renovations for homeowners nationwide, many of whom are living off a modest income, elderly, disabled or have young children. The Initiative is an additional component of the 19-year-old national Rebuilding Together program that will revitalize nearly 10,000 homes across the country this year. With the help of the Initiative, Rebuilding Together will provide homeowners the ability to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 30 percent. "This is a wonderful partnership. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of those most in need," said Patti Dennis, executive director, Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax. "Providing low-income homeowners the tools to dramatically improve energy efficiency enables them to save money and use it for other immediate needs such as food and health care." "America's oil and natural gas industry practices energy efficiency every day within its operations, so we know the significant value of such a commitment," said Rebecca Dobbins, external relations, American Petroleum Institute. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will provide low-income homeowners the dual benefit of saving both energy and money." Last year, the Initiative was highlighted in 18 rebuilds nationwide, saving homeowners of modest means thousands of dollars thanks to a variety of energy-saving features incorporated into their homes. Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax is renovating more than 60 homes throughout the area this year, with the Community Residences group home being the first to receive energy-saving renovations. Since 1975, Community Residences has served individuals with mental and physical disabilities and has worked to support independent living that enhances each individual's dignity, self-esteem and quality of life. Originally built in 1924, the North Fillmore Street home became a Community Residences long-term residential assisted living group home for adults with mental illness in 1987. As part of the Initiative, this Community Residences group home will receive new weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows, light fixtures with compact fluorescent lights and four ceiling fans. Other renovations to the house include interior and exterior painting as well as landscaping. "For most Americans, our home is our sanctuary. On behalf of the seven men and women who call North Fillmore Street their home, we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Initiative's energy-saving outreach program," said Dennis J. Manning, president and CEO of Community Residences, Inc. "Not only will our residents reap the immediate benefits of greater comfort throughout the year, but also, Community Residences as a non-profit organization will be able to save precious resources over the long term that can be redirected to other important program needs and services," added Manning. In addition to making homes more energy-efficient, the Initiative also provides low-income homeowners, volunteers and others with materials, and information to help them use energy wisely now and in the future.
