At Haven House, every dollar saved on utilities can be put toward sheltering families and helping them on their paths toward stable homes.
Founded in 1983, Haven House’s emergency shelter facility was built in the 1950s, which meant there were a lot of opportunities to improve improve comfort and efficiency and lower operating costs.
If we can save money on our electric bill, then we can spend that money on helping our clients with moving costs.
Representatives from Michigan IPL, the Islamic Center of East Lansing, Haslett Community Church, and University Lutheran Church present Haven House with a donation of $5,500 to be used toward energy improvements.
With a $5,500 donation from Haslett Community Church, University Lutheran Church, the Islamic Center of East Lansing, and Michigan IPL's Carbon Fund, Haven House made energy upgrades to its facility. They upgraded the lights in their emergency shelter to LEDs, installed energy efficient air conditioning, new windows, and additional insulation.
How can installing energy efficient appliances help Haven House fulfill their mission and assist families in finding permanent housing?
"We’re always looking for continuous quality improvement for the families we serve," said Gabriel Biber, Executive Director at Haven House. "If we can save money on our electric bill then we can spend that money on helping our clients with moving costs."
Haven House provides shelter and vital services to about about 120 families experiencing homelessness each year.
Volunteers help freshen up Haven House. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Photo courtesy of Facebook.
"There are great benefits that come with the new LED lights," Gabriel told us. "Not only do they provide better quality lighting for our clients, but we want to reduce our carbon footprint as much as we can. When we’re looking at the long term effects of climate change, the more floods, storms, and extreme weather we experience, the more people who will be displaced from their homes. Caring for the earth now helps us protect families from losing their homes in the future."
When we’re looking at the long term effects of climate change, the more floods, storms, and extreme weather we experience, the more people who will be displaced from their homes. Caring for the earth now helps us protect families from losing their homes in the future.
When asked about what advice he would give to nonprofits looking to switch to more energy efficient appliances, Gabriel suggested getting an initial energy assessment. "It gave us the information we needed about the improvements we can make. We knew which projects would provide more impact and the cost associated with that. Even the smaller steps make a difference."
Michigan IPL’s Carbon Fund provides mini grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to organizations looking to reduce their climate pollution but do not have the funds available to do so. You can donate, apply, or learn more about the Carbon Fund here.