Addressing Energy Equity in Charlottesville

Residents of energy inefficient, low-income housing often spend disproportionately large amounts of their income on energy bills, experience poor health as a result of not having adequate heating, cooling, or air circulation, and sometimes will make unsafe choices to avoid using energy. Simply performing green renovations on existing low-income housing can decrease the cost of energy bills and increase both the health and safety of residents. Herein we describe the problems with energy inefficient, low-income housing, describe what green renovations entail, present programs and funding sources available to tackle green renovations of low-income housing as well as layout potential considerations when enacting green public policies.