FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lisa DePaoli, lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org, 724-229-3550, ext. 3
Sen. Fetterman Proposes Groundbreaking Whole Home Repairs Program at the National Level
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The program can put millions of Americans on a path to restoring our homes and communities
Washington, PA – Most Americans want the same thing: a safe, secure place to call home. But for too long, elected officials failed to prioritize decent living standards – that is, until 2022, when thanks to the tireless organizing of grassroots organizations and coalitions across Pennsylvania, the state added Whole-Home Repairs to the budget. Whole-Home Repairs became the first program in the nation to establish a one-stop shop for home repairs and weatherization while creating family-sustaining jobs in impacted communities.
Now, PA Senator John Fetterman and WY Senator Cynthia Lummis are introducing Whole-Home Repairs on the federal level. The legislation could ensure that every American from Washington County to Washington state has a safe, secure home where they can raise their kids and pursue their dreams.
“Whole-Home Repairs is a lifeline to homeowners and families in our state and across the country. It is essential to support and fund these programs adequately. Pennsylvania’s pilot program has laid the groundwork for many more state and federal investments in Whole-Home Repairs for years to come,” said Sarah Martik, CCJ’s Executive Director.
Demand for the program has far exceeded the funding allotted to it, and it’s succeeding in bringing down utility bills, making our homes safer and more resilient, and creating good jobs with living wages. It is a win for families and the economy.
State Senator Nikil Saval, a lead sponsor of Pennsylvania’s legislation, said, “Through the Whole-Home Repairs Program, Pennsylvania can tackle many of the root causes of community instability by keeping people in their homes and keeping those homes safe and healthy.”
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