IHS Saves Lives, Improves Health, & Reduces Energy Burdens
High monthly medical expenses were something the Garcia
family couldn’t change. Ms. Garcia was on several different
medications for depression, while doctors were still unable
to figure out the root cause. So they looked for somewhere
else to help cut back on monthly expenses. It was their high
energy bill that led them to the Weatherization Assistance
Program.
WAP has a long history of dramatically reducing energy bills for low-income
families. IHS is currently serving 25 counties in southwestern Kansas through this
program and the effects can make a dramatic difference. For the Garcia family,
the difference was life changing.
Upon initial inspection of the Garcia home, it was discovered that the hot
water tank vented back into their attic, spilling life-threatening levels of carbon
monoxide, at nearly 100 times the level which is considered safe, into the air they
breathed. After calling a WAP contractor, workers replaced the hot water tank,
added carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and made other energy-saving
improvements to the house.
These changes not only provided the Garcia’s with a lower monthly energy
bill, but a lower medical bill. Ms. Garcia was able to stop taking five different
medications because the air in the home was now safe to breathe.
The Garcia family is not alone as other families have seen improvements in their
overall health after WAP modifications. With WAP we can low energy bills, save
lives and help the environment.
Article provided by: Wx Plus Health
Santa Fe Townhomes Providing adequate housing
There is nothing like walking through the newly
decorated home of a tenant who can’t stop saying thank
you, because they never thought they would be able
to live in such a nice home. But with the newly finished
Santa Fe Townhomes, it has happened more than once.
While there were many headaches and hours of paper
work that came with the 18-unit project, it all disappeared
in the end. The townhomes, which are being rented to
“farm labor” qualified households, have almost all been rented out.
This past year has shown us just how valuable this project is. It is our plan to
move forward with Santa Fe Townhomes phase II. This phase will include 14
units. (Seven duplexes) Eligibility to apply for this grant will come available
in June 2014. This opportunity will aid in our continued mission to fulfill the
housing needs of the community.