The Philadelphia Weatherization, Rehabilitation and Asset Preservation (WRAP) Partnership, funded by the William Penn Foundation and the Ford Foundation, was one of eleven pilot programs across the country. WRAP brought energy conservation, education, and bill payment assistance services, together with home repair in order to reduce low income homeowners’ maintenance and operating costs, thus allowing them to reduce their debt and build equity in their homes. Concentrated in a section of South Philadelphia , the project was intended to benefit individual participants and help revitalize the surrounding community.







 

The WRAP target area was between Gray’s Ferry on the west, 18th Street on the east, Reed Street on the south, and Fitzwater on the north. The Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), in partnership with its Neighborhood Energy Center , Diversified Community Services/Dixon House, planned and implemented the project.

Out of a total of 215 applications, 141 low income households were served, resulting in a total energy savings of approximately 25% for the households who received the most comprehensive services, and an average energy saving of approximately 15% for all households. These households will save between $300 and $400 each year for years to come. The energy savings will offset the rise in property taxes and insurance rates that accompany rising property values in this rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.









Of the 141 WRAP households, 109 received roof repair, white roof coating and insulation to make their homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. To mitigate the urban heat island effect even further, ECA, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, planted 325 trees on streets and vacant lots in the area. A total of 122 WRAP households received additional energy conservation services leveraged from other programs. The project also succeeded in encouraging homeowners to invest in their homes through sweat equity; prudent, rather than predatory, loans; and civic engagement. To date, the amount leveraged through loans stands at $450,000, including two reverse mortgages.

Perhaps the most significant outcome of the project was to help low income homeowners to remain in their homes and not be displaced by gentrification. During the past five years, Philadelphia has been experiencing a building boom that has been most intense in the Center City area. Because of its proximity to Center City, the average property values in the WRAP area more than doubled between 2003 and 2005; sale of properties increased by 44%, and tax lien sales decreased by 28%. As a wave of gentrification moved through the surrounding area, the WRAP area remained diversified, both racially and in terms of income. ECA attributes this success to the comprehensive, case management approach made possible by the WRAP Partnership.

In addition to Diversified Community Services/Dixon House, key partners in this effort included the City of Philadelphia, South of South Neighborhood Association, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. In addition to the grants from the William Penn Foundation and the Ford Foundation, ECA received or leveraged $1,174,899 to support this work from government, foundation and other sources.

Full version of WRAP final report Mar 2007.