Client Stories
Making Homes More Energy-Efficient
Delta Terrace, 14617
Rocco lived in his home on Lake Ontario for years. His home was once a vacation getaway that has been converted into a year-round home. However, the conversion came with its own issues. For Rocco, the back addition of his home never had heat; it had to be warmed with a space heater.
Rocco’s utility bills would average $300 a month. RG&E suggested that Rocco schedule an energy audit with PathStone. PathStone then was able to connect with the Town of Irondequoit, NYSERDA, and RENEW in order to make weatherization repairs to Rocco’s home. These repairs included insulation, a furnace, a heat pump hot water heater, and other health and safety items.
Not only did Rocco’s home become warmer and more comfortable, his first utility bill following the improvements was only $15.
These improvements resulted in a 53.79% reduction in fuel usage and will keep 30.52 tons of greenhouse gas emissions out of our atmosphere.
Campbell Street, 14611
Delma was an elder living on a fixed income. There were numerous repairs necessary to make her home habitable. These repairs included roof replacement, as there were many large holes in Delma’s roof that damaged the second floor of her home.
Though Delma qualified for other weatherization work from Action for a Better Community (ABC), the condition of her roof prevented the work from being completed. Following a referral from ABC, Delma connected with PathStone to help find funding for a new roof. PathStone then reached out to NYS Affordable Housing Corporation and the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation/RESTORE to help secure the necessary funds. RENEW was also brought in.
By working together, these community partners were able to replace Delma’s roof with lighter-colored, heat reflective shingles. Additional work in the home included insulation, windows, interior repairs, and exterior siding. Without collaboration between RENEW partners and the flexibility of RENEW funding to provide bridge funds, the entire project would have been put on hold.
Making Homes Healthier
Herkimer Street, 14609
Bill was a veteran living in the City of Rochester. His home qualified for lead abatement, a high-efficiency furnace, a hot water heater, and other health and safety items through funding allocated by the City.
Bill shared that he lives alone and struggles with home maintenance. Bill talked about how much better he felt after getting to know the crew and seeing how nice his home looked after the work was completed.
Seeing all the improvements made to his home, Bill felt motivated and inspired to make his own changes not covered by the grants. He made additional safety repairs, painted, and planted a flowerbed.
Home health is an important component of mental health. 48.4% of RENEW survey respondents report improvements to their mental health following their home repairs.
These improvements resulted in a 21% reduction in fuel usage and will keep 33.89 tons of GHG emissions out of our atmosphere.
Furlong Street, 14621
Inez lives in the City of Rochester. She was being treated for bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, or BOOP. Her illness was exacerbated by mold found in the home. The cost for remediation was prohibitive. Her doctor at URMC did some research, leading Inez to be referred to PathStone.
Using braided resources from PathStone, a City of Rochester Lead grant, and RENEW, Inez was able to receive the necessary mold remediation, lead hazard repairs, new windows, insulation, a hot water heater, and a dehumidifier.
These repairs helped improve the health of Inez’s home, leading to fresher mold-free air, better water pressure, and a lead safe environment for her grandchildren. Most importantly, Inez’s BOOP has stabilized.
These improvements resulted in a 18.5% reduction in fuel usage and will keep 42.16 tons of GHG emissions out of our atmosphere.
Making Homes Safer
Dickinson Street, 14621
Joyce, her daughters, and her dogs moved into their current home in 2015. Their new home needed numerous critical repairs and Joyce was “not handy.” Though she tried to start some of these repairs, finding the time to do so was difficult, as Joyce also served as a caregiver for an aging relative.
One of the safety repairs the home needed was new windows, as the existing windows could not fully close or lock. Joyce slept downstairs on the couch for two years to make sure she could hear intruders if someone broke into the home. In 2017, Joyce worked with Action for a Better Community, who recommended she apply to the City of Rochester Windows Program.
Through these programs, braided resources, and inter-agency collaboration, not only was Joyce’s family able to receive new windows that close and lock, but also a new door, a new sewer line, air sealing, insulation, a high efficiency furnace, and other weatherization interventions. After the work was done, Joyce felt safe enough to sleep upstairs in her own bed.
These improvements resulted in a 30% reduction in fuel usage and will keep 60.12 tons of GHG emissions out of our atmosphere.
Stanridge Court, 14617
Sara, a first-time home buyer, had put offers on eight homes before one finally accepted, but only if she waived the home inspection. Sara reluctantly agreed, but quickly learned of a dangerous problem after moving in–the radiator wasn’t venting properly. This type of hazard meant possible exposure to carbon monoxide, which comes with numerous health risks, even death.
When a knowledgeable friend detected the issue, he recommended Sara apply for home rehabilitation assistance. Sara qualified for a new furnace and a heat-pump hot water heater. Sara was excited to move into her first home and had put everything into her down payment. Without the support of programs like PathStone and RENEW, it would have taken Sara years to save up for the necessary health and safety repairs. She said these repairs relieved her of a “huge weight,” as she was able to make her home safer and more energy-efficient without adding to her debt.
These improvements resulted in a 47.29% reduction in fuel usage and will keep 38.433 tons of GHG emissions out of our atmosphere.