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<br />Page 11 of 22 <br /> <br />disabilities. Specific partner organizations include: <br />The Jackson Center, EMPOWERment, CASA, El <br />Centro, Refugee Service Center, NAACP, Refugee <br />Community Partnership, Reinvestment Partners, <br />Centre for Homeownership and Economic <br />Development and Compass Center. <br />Of 334 households who purchased Habitat homes in <br />Orange County, 89% identify as households of color. <br />Nearly 44% identify as Black or African American, 27% <br />Hispanic/Latin, 15% Asian and 12% white. Languages <br />represented include English, Karen, Burmese, <br />Spanish, Arabic, and Swahili. Habitat homeowners in <br />Orange County who identify as Black own a combined <br />$14 million in equity, or an average of $116,000 per <br />homeowner. <br />Energy costs disproportionately affect low-income <br />families because they must spend a higher <br />percentage of their paycheck on energy bills. Many <br />residents and workers in Orange County cannot <br />afford the upfront cost of solar and may not qualify <br />for relevant loans. The tax code perpetuates this <br />inequality by giving tax credits for home solar <br />installation, but these credits frequently cannot be <br />used by those with lowest incomes. Thus, those <br />individuals and families who would benefit most from <br />the environmental and financial benefits of solar <br />panels are excluded. Our project seeks to address <br />these inequities and highlights the importance of <br />integrating environmental goals within affordable <br />housing strategies. <br />7. Please describe any ways in which low‐income or <br />marginalized communities/households were <br />engaged in the creation of this project proposal. <br />While the specific homebuyers for this project have <br />not yet been selected, more than 300 local Habitat <br />homeowners represent a valuable resource for ideas <br />and insights. Habitat regularly solicits this group for <br />feedback on our work and programs. Current and <br />potential homebuyers have communicated <br />enthusiasm about the financial and environmental <br />benefits of owning a green-certified Habitat home <br />with renewable energy. <br />8. Please describe any potential negative side <br />effects of the project and describe the steps you <br />are taking/will take to eliminate or minimize <br />these impacts to any low‐income or marginalized <br />communities/households. <br />The homeowners will gain approximately $65 in <br />solar-generated free electricity per month, and the <br />equipment is warrantied for 12-25 years. However, <br />the labor is only guaranteed for five years, after <br />which time maintenance will be the homeowner’s <br />responsibility. However, solar installations have a low <br />repair rate. In addition, Habitat has programs to help <br />Docusign Envelope ID: AA482F5E-25D4-439A-862A-65CC63DF3A74