Expansion Promised For Philadelphia's EnergyFIT Program
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City Council President Darrell Clarke, on Wednesday, promised to expand a program that helps low-income Philadelphia residents stay in their homes by making repairs and improving energy efficiency. The EnergyFIT program is currently rehabbing an entire block in North Philadelphia.
Darlene Pope loves her new roof, hot water heater and fuse box -- all of the things her home in the 1200 block of Seltzer Street desperately needed.
"With my income, trust me, to have this kind of stuff is hard to afford," she said.
Pope, though, got them courtesy of EnergyFIT Philly, a city-funded program that Council President Clarke says accomplishes many goals at once.
"Not only creating a more environmentally sound scenario," he says, "but creating a situation in which people can save money as a result of energy efficiency."
EnergyFIT did the work for Pope and 20 of her neighbors. They were selected through the "Coolest Block" contest. Pope, the block captain, was overwhelmed as she showed Clarke the results.
"I don't know what to say," Pope said. "I hope everybody gets it."
Clark promised to work at least for an expansion. He said the average $15-thousand a home cost is no more than demolition, if the homes fell into disrepair and became vacant.
