How can efficiency programs advance equity?
The Challenge
Vermont has one of the highest homeownership racial gaps in the country. And historically, efficiency service providers have struggled to help renters save, which leaves many low-income and BIPOC residents without their benefits. Efficiency Vermont wanted to change that.
The Solution
Efficiency Vermont — which is run by VEIC — focused outreach on two communities: Winooski and Brattleboro. These cities have high populations of renters, low-income, and BIPOC residents. By spending more time in these communities, Efficiency Vermont gained a deeper understanding of how to help reduce the energy burden on historically underserved households. Services: Energy Efficiency
The Impact
Equipped with learnings from their focused community outreach, Efficiency Vermont developed a strategy to support these residents. The community-based outreach strategy they take going forward will help the organization provide energy relief and savings to Vermonters who need them most.
Reaching renters
Vermont has one of the highest rates of homeownership in the nation, but it also has one of the highest racial gaps in this ownership. This means that many BIPOC Vermonters rent their homes. While this disparity poses many problems, there's one issue that very few people even think about: limited access to efficiency programs.
Energy efficiency may not be top of mind for most people, but it should not be overlooked. Efficiency programs can save residents thousands of dollars on their energy bills while keeping their homes comfortable year-round. There are community benefits to these programs, too, like lower greenhouse gas emissions and healthier air. Efficiency Vermont operates one such program.
Efficiency Vermont — which is run by VEIC — provides objective advice, technical services, and financial support in the form of rebates and incentives to help Vermonters save energy. But because its services are often perceived as being relevant for people who own their homes, renters can miss out on key benefits. This is especially true for programs like weatherization, heating and appliance upgrades, which need to be facilitated through property owners.
Knowing that BIPOC and low-income communities often experience the "first and worst" impacts of climate change, Efficiency Vermont wanted to ensure their programs provide energy relief to those who need it most. They decided to start a pilot program centering on community outreach.
Focused community outreach
From 2022 to 2023, Efficiency Vermont focused its outreach on two communities in Vermont: Winooski and Brattleboro. Winooski is the most diverse city in Vermont, with 31 languages spoken in its schools. Winooski is also home to a large renter community, as about 60% of its housing is rented out. Brattleboro is a town on the native land of the Elnu, an Abenaki tribe, and hosts the largest refugee center in the state. The population of renters is also well above the state's average at 50%.
To build trust among residents, Efficiency Vermont took a community-based approach. Over the year, the team participated in 32 events in both areas, speaking to over 800 residents along the way. The team also established working relationships with 14 local organizations. Building relationships within communities takes time, trust, and openness to feedback. But most of all, it involves a great deal of listening. That's exactly what Efficiency Vermont did. The team met community members where they were, developed more representative marketing materials and digital resources, and supported individuals on the frontlines who had worked in these neighborhoods for years. And the team's efforts paid off.
As a result of Efficiency Vermont's focused outreach, the team performed 5 walk-throughs of rental properties in Brattleboro to advise residents on measures they can take to save energy and money. The team also established relationships with 14 property owners across both communities, paving the way for future renters to benefit from efficiency programs. Efficiency Vermont also distributed 1,166 energy-saving kits, a service that can directly and immediately benefit renters without property owner support.
From listening to implementing
Our team at Efficiency Vermont proved that there are ways to include, engage, and service BIPOC and low-income communities, even with the homeownership gap. The results of their focused outreach efforts are encouraging, but the team knows there's more work to be done. So what's next for Efficiency Vermont? They're ready to take what they've learned and turn it into action.
The team's future roadmap includes deepening and expanding their community partnerships. To best serve renters, efficiency programs need to form strong relationships with social service organizations, municipalities, and property owners to make any traction. With many local organizations stretched thin, community leaders also need to be financially compensated for their efforts.
Historically underserved residents will also need plenty of support and up-front capital to bring efficiency measures home. Efficiency Vermont plans to help by selecting efficient equipment, coordinating with contractors, and navigating property-owner relationships. The team is committed to doing whatever they can to make it easy for all Vermonters to access the benefits of energy efficiency. And they hope by sharing what they've learned, they will empower other organizations to do the same in their communities.
To learn more about Efficiency Vermont's outreach efforts and takeaways, read the full report
Who We Are
VEIC provides services under a broad clean energy umbrella that includes energy efficiency, building decarbonization, transportation electrification, and clean and flexible grid solutions. We work with utilities, state energy offices, transit agencies, non-profits, businesses, and more to advance electrification and decarbonization efforts across the country. From decarbonization program planning and implementation to federal funding services, we help clients achieve their goals and make an impact.
Reach out today so the VEIC team can learn more about your building electrification and energy efficiency ideas.