$5.1 Million awarded to make homes more energy efficient
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI -- "We're particularly please to see this kind of work being done, as you know the White House is especially interested in seeing Recovery Act Funds spent," said Brian Gillen, Senior Advisor from the Chicago HUD Office of Native American Programs.
Stimulus money is being used to fix up 500 homes in the Upper Peninsula, 80 are in Sault Ste. Marie.
It’s part of the $500 million dollars that was given to Native American tribes across the country.
Wednesday, a senior advisor with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) came to see the progress of the project.
Lois Cooper says in the past, she could probably tell you what the temperature was outside by standing next to the wall.
“It was awful cold, you couldn't even sit next to the walls it was so blooming cold, now you can't even feel the air come in anymore," said Cooper.
The houses that are 30 years old, inefficient, and have major problems will soon be upgraded. It's part of the stimulus project that started last year and has been running strong since. The Sault Tribe is working to update their outdated housing units to be more efficient.
"We would never be able to do this extent without the stimulus money we have gotten, and what we did in the past was we just made repairs to the wooden siding," said Arlon Goforth, who is working to renovate the homes.
Nationally, $500 million went to tribes for renovation. Michigan received $28 million, the Sault Tribe, they received $5.1 million."
For the 80 housing units in Sault Sainte Marie, $1.2 million has been granted. The money will be used to put up vinyl siding, upgrade windows, and install energy-efficient furnaces. Brian Gillen says this project is where the tire hits the road and what the White House wants to see done with the stimulus funds.
“This type of work, this type of weatherization, is inexpensive, but gets you the largest class savings in terms of energy and expenditures, so they're really right on track by doing the rehab here of these units," said Gillen.
“The most important thing is that the homes are quality, and they're affordable with our tribal families, and that's what we've done here, I visited with an elder yesterday and it was just very heartwarming to listen to her say her home is warm, it was much warmer this winter, and that's the most important thing," said Joni Talentino, Sault Tribe Housing Director.
It'll be more efficient so the bill should be smaller at the end of the month, and it also cleans up the image.
"It looks a lot better," said Cooper.
The project has employed 45 workers. Renovations are complete in 30 of the 80 homes in Sault Sainte Marie.
