Housing Transformation Is Coming To Minnesota
Local Climate Action Grant
The Saint Anthony Park Community Council of St Paul in collaboration with Transition Town - All Saint Anthony Park and Green Home Club LLC, has secured a new Local Climate Action Grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to help launch an initiative that could revolutionize how housing is approached in Minnesota.
The aim of the project is to arm homeowners with the knowledge they need to lead their own green home journey and not wait for contractors, government officials or big utilities to decide on a solution.
“Our goal is to empower homeowners to create a plan that works for them,” says John Horchner, founder of Green Home Club LLC, a Saint Anthony Park-based startup. “Even if you’re not ready for a full-scale, green renovation, having a plan means that when something breaks, you’ll know the best options available to you.”
Why A Whole-Home Plan Matters
Tim Wulling of Transition Town explains why having a plan in place matters. “Neighbors need a holistic view of their buildings. The current market is fragmented, with each contractor advocating for their own solution separately. If we’re not careful, the new IRA rebates starting next year won’t reach their full potential.”
This grant will be used to fund the development of a free course tailored to the residents of Minnesota—both self-guided and in-person—that walks homeowners through their whole home.
A Green Home Helper chatbot will be used to answer questions along the way and ends with participants having their own plan.
For those who are tired of making small changes and are ready for a significant shift, this course should be especially attractive.
“Personally, I can’t wait to dive into my basement—I know it’s going to be a big stop in the journey for our home,” said Horchner.
For existing homes, “There’s still a lot we need to figure out, but the market is finally moving, and there’s much to be excited about," Horchner added, especially if the immediate goal is just to make a plan.
The aim of the green home course is to arm homeowners with the knowledge they need to lead their own green home journey and not wait for contractors, government officials or big utilities to decide on a solution for them.
The Saint Anthony Park Community Council is committed to preserving the quality of life in its neighborhood through initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic vitality. They fully support this intitative to make a difference in your home, your community, and beyond.
A pilot program that links green renovations to home sales is being discussed for the spring.
"We are exploring additional funding opportunities to support deep energy retrofits for income-qualified households," noted Zev Radziwill, Executive Director, Saint Anthony Park Community Council.
Nationally, research—including a study from Yale University—underscores the need for a significant portion of existing homes to make extensive renovations to meet the United States' commitments to the Paris Climate Accords.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a greener home, don’t wait! Sign up on our homepage for updates on the soft launch of the course this fall—and don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your home lead the way in sustainable living.
Note: GreenHome.Club is a community-driven platform where homeowners can make a green home plan with the help of the community, online chatbots, course materials, and a self-guided, home assessment. While we empower homeowners with knowledge, we always recommend consulting professional resources and experts before implementing any changes.
