The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency recently received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to repair and rehabilitate 50 low-income owner-occupied homes in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties.
U.S. Sen. Mark Udall announced the grant.
I am pleased that 4CORE will be able to use these competitive grant funds to continue its work to improve housing conditions for rural Coloradans that might need a helping hand in meeting their housing needs, Udall said. Making our homes more energy efficient not only helps families lower their monthly bills, but also helps strengthen our nations energy security. This grant - an investment in Colorados rural communities - strengthens rural Colorado, a critical part of our states economy.
The funding will complement weatherization assistance efforts currently underway, said Gregg Dubit, executive director of 4CORE. It is important for our community to recognize that many of the people served by these programs work full-time, but still qualify as low-income, he said.
The competitive grant can be used to make general repairs, which include installing or improving plumbing, heating, indoor air quality, and providing or enhancing access to people with disabilities. 4CORE will continue to implement these regional services with collaborative partner agencies: Housing Solutions for the Southwest and the Southwest Conservation Corps operating with AmeriCorps interns.