PRESS RELEASE -- NHS ANNOUNCES ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP SERIES!

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2017
Media Inquiries: Maria Perez-Martinez | 475-227-0530 | mmartinez@nhsofnewhaven.org

NHS OF NEW HAVEN ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP SERIES

SIX-WORKSHOP SERIES TO BEGIN JUNE 2017

New Haven, CT — Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (NHS), revitalizing neighborhoods for more than 37 years, announced today the launch of their inaugural Environmental Leadership Program. The program is designed to offer New Haven residents the opportunity to learn about the environmental impact on their neighborhoods, and aspire to create environmental projects to better their homes and neighborhoods.

Through a six-workshop series, participants will cover subjects such as climate change, energy-efficiency, storm water management, waste reduction, and the benefits and challenges of sustainable transportation options. In addition, each participant will learn the basics of planning community-based projects, identifying funding resources, and examine outreach and community engagement strategies that will ensure their project’s success. 

Admission for the six-part series is open to all New Haven residents, or participants willing to create a project within New Haven. A $20 fee covers the cost of all classes as well as a pre-workshop networking dinner. Scholarships are available upon request.

“In 2012, the United States Green Building Council awarded our Home Improvement and Energy Conservation Laboratory the highest level of certification, LEED® PLATINUM,” said NHS of New Haven Executive Director Jim Paley. “Since that time, a core tenet of NHS’ mission has been focused on the environmental impacts on New Haven’s neighborhoods and residents. By offering home improvement workshops, winter gardening classes, and laboratory tours, we strive to serve as a leader in environmental and energy-efficiency awareness.”

“The goal of this series is to highlight the myriad of ways in which everything is connected,” remarked Deputy Director of NHS’ Design and Construction department, Kathleen Fay. “Someone’s quality of life, the condition of their home, and the environment in their neighborhood are all related and each one other affects the other. Through these workshops, we hope to inspire residents to make active change within their neighborhoods and their lives – no matter how small – by stimulating their creativity and ability to see opportunities for change.” 

The series will begin June 13, 2017 and offer two workshops in June, July, and August.  Workshops will be held at NHS of New Haven's campus on Sherman Avenue. All participants must apply by June 6, 2017. Further information can be found at www.nhsofnewhaven.org.

About Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven
Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven is focused on positioning New Haven’s neighborhoods to succeed by increasing homeownership; making homes beautiful, energy-efficient, and affordable; and helping residents take charge of their neighborhoods. We believe that increased homeownership, educated homebuyers, and rehabilitated houses will produce stable, revitalized neighborhoods that our clients will be proud to call home. www.nhsofnewhaven.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven is part of the national NeighborWorks® Network, an affiliation of more than 230 nonprofit organizations that increase homeownership, produce affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods in more than 4,400 communities across the nation.  www.nw.org

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Local Advocates Meet to Highlight Solar Opportunity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2017

Media Contacts:

Zadie Oleksiw, Vote Solar Communications Manager, Zadie@votesolar.org, 202-836-5754

Local Advocates Meet to Highlight Solar Opportunity

Community solar is a major opportunity to empower Connecticut’s low-income customers

New Haven, CT. – Today, local clean energy and housing advocates held a public event highlighting the benefits of shared solar and other low-income solar programs for customers and communities. The recently updated Low-Income Solar Access Guide was also released with a Connecticut-specific fact sheet, which includes program and policy developments over the last year that better serve low-income customers.

“The clean energy economy is soaring nationwide, and neighboring states like Massachusetts and New York are expanding solar access to all of their communities – and reaping wealthier and healthier communities as a result,” said Melanie Santiago-Mosier, Low-Income Program Director at Vote Solar. “Now, it’s Connecticut’s turn to harvest those benefits, and community solar is how we do that. We’re asking lawmakers to bring clean energy choices, lower utility bills, and cleaner air to everyone in Connecticut through community solar.”

A well-designed community solar program, which doesn’t yet exist in Connecticut, would unlock lower customer utility bills, greater control over energy choices, and serve to support a local clean energy economy. Two years ago the legislature authorized a pilot program for community solar, but the pilot has been delayed several times and has still not moved forward, while neighboring states have made significant gains and opened up statewide programs in that time. Community and rooftop solar also promote a healthier environment by reducing the need for generating power from fossil fuel plants.

“Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven isn’t just about rehabbing houses and making them energy efficient; it isn’t just about the folks who buy our houses; it is about the neighborhoods we serve, and everyone in them,” said Kathy Fay, Deputy Director of Design and Construction at Neighborhood Housing Service of New Haven. “Everyone, regardless of income, pays a portion of their electric bill into a fund that helps to bring solar to local communities. Community shared solar in Connecticut will make it possible for everyone to take advantage of the solar opportunity, regardless of whether it’s on their roof or around the corner.”

“Shared solar is a way to make the technology of clean renewable energy available to many, if not all, of Connecticut residents,” said Paula Panzarella, speaking for the New Haven Energy Task Force. “Clean renewable energy is a concern of everyone. Especially in the inner-cities, we are already living with an overload of pollutants, asthma and automobile exhaust. Shared clean energy facilities would allow city-dwelling and low-wage earners to have access to clean energy. Everyone pays into the funds to support the clean energy programs, and shared solar allows everyone to reap the benefits.”

“The Green Bank is working to ensure that all Connecticut residents and businesses have equitable access to energy savings through our programs, strategic partnerships, and outreach,” said Madeline Priest of the Connecticut Green Bank. “We are pleased to support the state’s shared clean energy program with financing availability to community solar developers. Solar is affordable, and Connecticut businesses and residents can be excited for the opportunity to save money by saving energy.”

 

Kathy Fay, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven

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About Vote Solar:

Vote Solar is a non-profit organization working to foster economic development and energy independence by bringing solar energy to the mainstream nationwide. Learn more at www.votesolar.org

Date Announced! 7th Annual Family Festival!

For Immediate Release
February 17, 2016
Media Inquiries: Maria Perez-Martinez, 475-227-0530, mmartinez@nhsofnewhaven.org

7^th Annual NHS Family Fun Festival:
Paint the Town Green

Promoting Environmentally-Minded Initiatives with Free Activities, Games, and Food for Families and Guests of All Ages

New Haven, CT — Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, positioning neighborhoods to succeed for 36 years, announced today that their 7^th Annual Family Fun Festival will take place on NHS’ campus on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The festival, which has become a community staple with participants from all over Connecticut, has featured past themes such as Entrepreneurship, Health & Financial Literacy, Environmental Awareness, and Family Fitness. The Festival is a chance to honor both the diversity and spirit of the New Haven community and beyond. The 2016 Festival theme, Paint the Town Green, will promote environmentally-minded initiatives and encourage families to do their part to preserve the Earth.

 “We are thrilled to be hosting this event once again to bring people together for a day of fun activities, healthy refreshments, and meeting with old friends and acquaintances to discuss different ways in which we can respect our environment,” said NHS of New Haven executive director Jim Paley. “Our organization strives to include sustainability in all of our housing development activities, but the Family Fun Festival gives us an opportunity to reach additional people in our neighborhoods.”

As an opportunity to bring neighbors together, build community, and have fun, the Festival strives to provide a space for people of all ages to enjoy and celebrate all that New Haven has to offer. Admission is free and includes games, food, and activities. Most, if not all, of the food, activities, and entertainment groups will be from New Haven and will introduce a “green” element to participants.

 “Our family festivals have afforded us with an opportunity to give back to the community, and each year, we highlight different themes,” said HomeOwnership Center Managing Director, Bridgette Russell. “This year’s theme ‘Paint the Town Green’ highlights the importance of living in harmony with our environment.”

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven is part of the national NeighborWorks® network, an affiliation of more than 230 nonprofit organizations that increase homeownership, produce affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods in more than 4,400 communities across the nation. The NeighborWorks® network was founded and is supported by NeighborWorks® America, which strengthens the network through training, technical assistance, and funding.

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News Coverage -- "Solar For All" Kick-Off Event

On Wednesday, January 20th, NHS of New Haven hosted a press conference brought to New Haven by PosiGen, the CT Green Bank, and the New Haven Energy Task Force. The Press Conference, attended by Governor Dannel Malloy, kicked off PosiGen's dedication to bringing solar energy to homeowners of all income throughout the Greater New Haven area and all of Connecticut.

With an illustrious group of speakers, the Press Conference was a great success! We want to thank everyone who attended the event and support solar energy in New Haven. Here are a few links of our press coverage. Simply click a photo to view the article/video.

If you're interested in Solar Energy for your home, please reach out to PosiGen for more information.