FeedsEnergy upgrades to cost $6 million
The Inkster Housing Authority will spend $6 million on energy upgrades that officials say will save the authority money in the future.
Tony Love, director of Inkster Housing, said the Energy Conservation Project – which includes adding new windows, new furnaces and other items to increase efficiency – will take place during the next eight months and will save at least $1.7 million in future costs.
“Energy costs have gone up, and the housing authority increased allowances to residents to help soften the blow,” he said. “But we wanted to find ways to improve efficiency to bring down costs.”
The Energy Conservation Project is a nationwide program implemented by public housing commissions to bring down costs associated with providing housing to low-income people. The goal of the project is to bring sustained savings to the commission and to individuals who are already struggling financially.
The improvements come on the heels of an investment-grade audit commissioned by the housing authority last year. That study – which was undertaken by Honeywell Corp. – suggested improvements that could bring down costs.
Love said the improvements were made possible by a loan program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The loan will be paid back during a 12-year period by the savings generated by the improvements. In the first year of the program, Love said about $211,000 will be saved by the authority, which covers all or a portion of utility bills incurred by residents, depending on where they live.
“Those allowances were increased when utilities went up last year, and (natural) gas prices went up the most,” he said. “The allowances will go down once we complete the improvements.”
Those allowances have strained the housing authority budget. Residents living at LeMoyne Gardens, the oldest of the five public housing complexes in the city, were receiving $29 a month to cover gas bills in 2005, and that is now at $107.
Residents at Denby Terrace were receiving a $26 supplement for their electric bills, and now receive $31. Costs have gone up at each other five public housing properties, too, said Terrel LeCesne, the chairman of the housing commission.
“Like anything else, this has impacted our budget,” he said. “We have to find creative ways to manage the budget, and this project is being conducted all over the country,” he said. “Another part of it is that our mission is provide clean, safe housing for less fortunate people, and this is a part of doing that.”
Among the improvements are: new boilers that have an efficiency rating of 91 percent at the Twin Towers, new furnaces at all five complexes, new thermopane windows at Cantebury Estates and new lighting and faucets at several of the complexes. Also, new exterior doors will be added to many units.
Love said he expects the work to be completed in March, two months before the authority will start making yearly payments to HUD.
Inkster Housing comprises about 800 units. Extra effort has been expended to make sure residents understand they have a role in the improvements as well.
“We started training residents on how the improvements will help them, and how they can stay within their allotment,” he said. “Those sessions began last week and will continue into August.”
Residents are responsible for paying for energy overages if they live at a complex that provides allotments as opposed to total payment, Love said.
The training plays an important role in helping residents control their costs once the allowances are reduced next year, he added.
