Apple Patch Community
Apple Patch transforms homes, lowers costs, and inspires nationwide change with sustainable solutions.
Company: Apple Patch Community, Inc. dba Pillar
Location: Louisville, KY
Impact: 2022 Elaina’s Sustainability Grant Award Winner
Donate to Elaina's Sustainability Fund
Their need:
The Apple Patch Community was founded because a group of parents worried what would happen to their children with disabilities when they could no longer care for them. Pillar built 17 homes over the course of five years with the oldest being approximately 20 years old. They are seamlessly integrated into two neighborhoods, so that one home may belong to Apple Patch and the other may belong to your family.
"We have a responsibility to maintain these homes and keep them a warm and comfortable place to live for our residents. Conducting air sealing on our homes will not only make our homes more sustainable but will also lower the costs of utilities for our organization and by proxy our residents. 100% of our residents are low income and while utilities are included in their rent fees, if utility prices continue to rise rent costs will have to rise.
This will be such a great opportunity to lower our utility costs and hopefully provide a model to be replicated in other communities around the country!"
Our gift:
The Apple Patch Community will be able to address the energy usage of their homes with real world environmental data, which benefits everyone as it reduces our energy usage which is good for the environment. More directly it benefits the adults that live in these homes.
A $2,400 grant will allow the community to work with a weatherization company that is providing services at cost to air seal one of our 17 homes. This is the most effective weatherization tool that reduces energy use for homeowners. Following the results (and hopeful savings) of the first home, Apple Patch will be able to replicate it to their other 16 homes.