Projects

Homeless Shelter Energy Conservation Program
Providing Energy Conservation Assistance to the Homeless Community

Overview
Under the Homeless Shelter Energy Conservation Program (HSECP), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs funds the rehabilitation of energy using systems in facilities that provide services for the homeless community. The intent of the program is to reduce the facility's operating costs by funding proven energy conservation measures.

The savings will provide a long-term windfall and indirectly increase the social services budget. The Energy Resources Center (ERC) has managed the technical support for the program since 1994. Some of the duties include assisting DCCA with writing, editing and distributing the RFP, providing statewide pre-application seminars, conducting inspections to all fundable candidate sites, providing or certifying work plans and monitoring construction from planning through installation.

History
The HSECP is an approved program under the Stripperwell Expenditure Plan filed with the US Department of Energy. It is consistent with DCCA's objective of increasing the amount of capital available to businesses by reducing the cost of doing business in Illinois through increased energy efficiency and decreased utility costs.

Eligible Retrofits
Rehabilitation or new construction projects involving the installation of energy efficient components in existing or new facilities for homeless or formerly homeless people are eligible. Grant funds may be requested and expended for the following energy efficiency measures:

• Attic, ceiling, wall, foundation, and/or basement insulation
• Air or vapor barriers Caulking, weather-stripping, and air sealing materials
• Lighting retrofits
• HVAC equipment repair, modification or replacement
• Domestic hot water equipment retrofits
• Repair, replacement, or modifications of windows and doors
• Energy efficiency improvements in ventilation systems
• Installation of new high efficiency appliances

Impact
It is difficult to count the number of people who are homeless, but researchers have determined that there are between 300,000 and 7,000,000 homeless people in America. Recent studies confirm this range. The National Alliance To End Homelessness estimates that on any given night, 750,000 Americans will be without shelter and that 1.3 to 2 million Americans will be homeless sometime during the year.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (IDCCA) is concerned about these statistics and the impact it has on the economy. IDCCA has provided over 2 million dollars to combat the plight of the homeless by creating the Homeless Shelter Energy Conservation Program (HSECP).

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