3.0 Housing

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

In seeking a more resilient future, Blue Island must engage in energy efficiency efforts to reduce its consumption.

INTRODUCTION

From adopting more green infrastructure to joining regional collaboratives dedicated to pursuing green technology, Blue Island has begun to act on the sense of urgency climate change brings. The city must be deliberate in its policy implementation and ensure that the decisionmaking process is participatory, collaborative, and forward thinking especially while considering a post-COVID-19 economic recovery. By implementing policies that reduce the city’s energy burden, Blue Island will not only be able to increase the quality of life of its residents but also gain more financial freedom to invest in other policies.

3.0 Housing

INTRODUCTION

Low-income households disproportionately face higher energy burdens and costs because it is difficult to fund necessary but costly home retrofitting. For this reason, this plan prioritizes facilitating retrofitting of all residential buildings, regardless of income.

Census data indicates that a majority of Blue Island houses may retain outdated structural integrity causing unnecessary overproduction of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.43 Weatherizing these structures will improve the city’s resilience by reducing

Stakeholders: Resident homeowners, Historic Preservation Committee, Lakeshore Recycling Services

Timeline:

Implementation - 1-5 Years Full Weatherization : 10+ Years

energy consumption from these systems. Weatherization is a substantially more cost-effective strategy for reducing energy usage than demolition of the current housing stock.

To work towards Blue Island’s goal of 100% weatherization for its housing structures by 2035, the city will establish a grant-funded weatherization program called the Blue Island, Green Home Project (BIGH Project).

Adobe Stock (n.d.)

The BIGH Project has four elements:

1

Home Weatherization Grant Program Community Education The Repurpose Program Anti-Gentrification Ordinance

2

HOUSING

The Illinois Department of Commerce

and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is in the midst of receiving public comments on the 2020 State Weatherization Plan, a guiding document that determines the state’s strategy for the 2022 Illinois Home

Weatherization Assistance Program.

The federal Department of Energy has expressed an interest in funding weatherization initiatives in Illinois for the 2021 Fiscal Year, and the State will determine community partnerships for each county to administer funds. Establishing the BIGH program will aid Blue Island in receiving these funds and coordinating to maximize their impact in the city.