BALTIMORE, MD. (June 4, 2010)—Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined the Southeast Community Development Corporation (SECDC) and community partners in a tour and celebration of a new eco-friendly community in Baltimore. Baltimore Housing weatherized 17 homes in the 1000 block of North Broadway, owned by the Southeast CDC and rented to low-income families.

“The partnership between Baltimore Housing and the Southeast CDC is an example of how we can work together to help people in need to cut costs and save our environment at the same time,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “These energy conservation measures will make it easier for families facing hard times to survive.”

Baltimore Housing’s weatherization auditors found the homes to be under-insulated and drafty, causing higher than normal utility bills and uncomfortable living conditions. Baltimore City Weatherization Assistance Program (BCWAP) provided an energy intervention by sealing all cracks, replacing insulation, performing furnace cleaning and tuning, weather stripping and when necessary replacing irreparable furnaces.

“Baltimore Housing has been instrumental in helping us continue our mission of promoting healthy, dynamic and diverse communities throughout Baltimore,” said Chris Ryer, President of the SECDC. “Thanks to the recent weatherization efforts, we’re pleased to offer homes that are eco-friendly and energy efficient to our residents.”

The event also highlighted the progress of BCWAP, which received $15.7 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) dollars to help families who are low or fixed income make their households more energy efficient and to create green collar jobs.

“In addition to reducing the cost of living for families in Baltimore, the jobs and job training will produce long-term benefits for the community,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake.

One of the goals of ARRA is to provide assistance and relief to keep communities and families from struggling. Now in its second year, Baltimore Housing is in full stride, weatherizing 85 to 90 homes per month.

“Baltimore is a national leader in the Green and Healthy Homes Initiatives,” said Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano. “We are in ushering a new era of green communities and making a difference in the lives of Baltimore.”