Making an Impact: CAHEC at Work
July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
Since 2004, CAHEC has offered an Open Doors Homeownership Grant to assist nonprofit organizations who develop for-sale affordable housing within our footprint. To date, CAHEC has awarded $760,000 towards this homeownership initiative to help provide housing to families earning 80 percent or less of the area median income.
For 2022, the area of focus for CAHEC’s funding was to assist nonprofit developers in their weatherization efforts. As our team of grant readers reviewed the applications, we evaluated how each organization was using weatherization to address resident needs, the positive impact the work would have on the community, and the long-term results of their efforts.
$25,000 – SOUTHEASTERN HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Southeastern Housing and Community Development applied on behalf of the Lowcountry Rural Repair and Weatherization Project, which is a collaboration between four housing agencies (who serve the South Carolina Lowcountry). The group joined forces to address housing priorities across their five-county footprint when they perceived they were receiving less support from SC Housing, their state housing authority, than they previously had. Their group works collectively to demonstrate the disparity in rural and urban housing resource allocation, and then generates resources and solutions through innovation and advocacy. Their next project will benefit 50 low-income and predominantly elderly households over the next two years. CAHEC’s grant funding was used to award each homeowner a $500 gap weatherization grant, which will complement other funding received from South Carolina Housing’s Emergency Repair Program and will leverage additional assistance from their local energy utility.
$15,000 – HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SEMINOLE COUNTY AND GREATER APOPKA
For the past 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and Greater Apopka has brought people together to build homes and hope for individuals and families with low incomes. Their most recent project is to help weatherize eight homes in Florida’s historic Goldsboro community. Originally founded as Florida’s second African-American incorporated town and later forcibly annexed, this economically disadvantaged community is undergoing a long overdue revitalization. These Habitat homes will be weatherized from attic to ground floor throughout the construction process with efforts that equal or surpass those seen in housing in wealthier communities. CAHEC’s grant funds was allocated to the purchase of insulated, glazed double-paned windows, and heavy duty weatherstripping.
$10,000 – FORT LAUDERDALE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Since 1988, Fort Lauderdale Community Development Corporation (FLCDC) has been developing and sustaining affordable housing, promoting economic development, and assuring that affordable housing is available to low-income families in Fort Lauderdale. Over the next two years, FLCDC plans to enhance the basic landscape package for homes and ensure the energy efficient standards for all appliances and equipment evolves with industry standards. CAHEC grant funds was used toward the cost of hurricane impact resistant windows and doors, tankless water heaters, energy efficient roof tiles, energy star rated appliances, and LED interior and exterior lighting. Additionally, since water conservation and the cost of water is a major concern in south Florida, they used a portion of the funding to enhance the minimum required landscape package by adding more trees and drought resistant materials.