Voices of Housing and Energy Policy

Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) is doing transformational and visionary work as it relates to advocacy efforts, coalition development, and capacity building in the U.S. However, the story of the urgency and impact of energy efficiency as a solution to address a myriad of issues in the nation remains largely untold. Energy efficiency measures can both impact and help us adapt to climate change, sustain affordable housing, alleviate poverty, and create healthier living conditions for populations most at risk of exposure to environmental toxins; yet, these facts do not seem to resonate with a large percentage of the population including key decision makers that could make energy efficiency more accessible for everyone.

In 2017, EEFA set out to remedy this problem. We sought to tell our own story and uplift the stories of communities that struggle to pay for energy to efficiently heat, cool, or light their homes. By listening to the stories of home and comfort, we hope to connect and understand the challenges and benefits people face. We launched Voices of Energy and Housing Affordability (Voices) with the mission of diversifying our coalitions and creating stronger links between policy makers and the communities we serve. In the process, we wanted to make sure the conversation around energy efficiency did not just focus on energy savings, but also on the vulnerable communities who are served by more efficient housing.