Letter to the editor: Pa. should back innovative approach to blight

The article “West- moreland home repair program filled before program launch” (Sept. 9, TribLIVE) underscores the need and enthusiasm for this program. It’s the sort of innovative approach our Pennsylvania Legislature should continue to support — and to grow. As in Westmoreland County, the program is experiencing overwhelming demand statewide.

The Whole Home Repair Program helps to tackle blight and make critical repairs. Without those fixes, houses follow the accelerated path to deterioration. Plus, because Pennsylvania’s housing stock is among the oldest in the nation, far too many households are turned away from programs that could reduce their energy bills. Insulating a house with a mold problem, for example, would only make that problem worse. That leaves extensive energy savings on the table.

My organization, the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, represents efficiency businesses across the state — many of which serve low-income households with energy-saving programs. These programs offer only minimal funding to address home repair needs that are the mandatory precursors to efficiency measures.

The Whole Home Repair Program can close this gap — but as we’ve seen across the state, existing funding is insufficient. The General Assembly must to pass the code bill and release the additional funding for this program that was allocated in this year’s appropriations bill.

Jeaneen A. Zappa

Shaler

The writer is executive director of the Energy Efficiency Alliance/Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance/Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey.