Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Creates Go Green Housing Project

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Jun 05, 2010, 12:55 ET

Housing nonprofit works to impact entire neighborhood to become environmentally friendly

PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, an affiliate of the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, has partnered with Popular Mechanics to create and complete a project that will encourage an entire low-income neighborhood to "go green."

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO )

Popular Mechanics, a nationwide DIY magazine with over 8.8 million active readers, has funded energy-efficient modifications for 22 homes scheduled to receive work on the unit block of Garfield Street in Germantown. The energy-efficient upgrades delivered in the homes will impact the entire community and assist direction of the green revolution to low-income neighborhoods, where energy-efficient modifications and upgrades can have the most direct impact to the homeowners.

The "Go Green" project is scheduled for June 5 and consists of an entire volunteer day of over 60 volunteers from Popular Mechanics and other organizations, local community leaders, and executives from both Rebuilding Together and Popular Mechanics. The comprehensive workscope for the day includes, but is not limited to: creation of a community garden, installation of energy efficient lighting to several homes, new insulation, caulking windows and doors, installing programmable thermostats and delivering tutorials, and the rebuild of the front porch of a home and a bathroom of a home to be more energy efficient.

"This environment-centric project is intended to not only create direct impact for all the homeowners, but also initiate a movement in the entire community to become more educated on the benefits of green practices and preserve the affordability and integrity of their housing stock in the long-term," said Carrie Rathmann, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. "With the incredible help and generous funding by Popular Mechanics, we will deliver critical home modifications while simultaneously giving homeowners the incredible value of lower utility and operational costs in their home."

To learn more about Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, their mission and work, visit their website at www.rebuildingphilly.org.

ABOUT REBUILDING TOGETHER PHILADELPHIA

Rebuilding Together Philadelphia is a local, independent nonprofit connected to a national network of 200 affiliates focused on preserving affordable homeownership using volunteer resources. RTP concentrates its work primarily in North, West and Northwest Philadelphia as well as Montgomery County. Through its critical home repair, energy efficiency, safe at home, and healthy home projects, RTP has helped more than 870 low-income homeowners and 30 community agencies since its founding in 1988. For details, visit www.rebuildingphilly.org.

ABOUT POPULAR MECHANICS

Every month, Popular Mechanics (PM) magazine instructs and influences more than 8.8 million active readers. They are engaged with breakthroughs on the latest innovations in science, technology. In-depth, hands-on editorial educates with "how-to" stories on digital technology, automotive, and the home. Plus, PM motivates curious consumers to act, with product reviews and comparisons on all the latest equipment and products to satisfy their many interests and passions.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together