Built to Last

 Project Description:

The Built to Last program, led by the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) in collaboration with a diverse coalition of partners, addresses the critical issues of unhealthy and inefficient housing, along with economic disparities in Philadelphia. This innovative project stands out for its exceptional contribution to energy efficiency, clean energy, and climate resilience in low-income communities and its high level of replicability. The program demonstrates a unique approach to overcoming the barriers that have historically prevented home repair efforts from working collaboratively to maximize impacts on housing.

Built to Last is a model for coordinated service delivery where PEA, an independent municipal authority, acts as the administrative backbone to facilitate collaboration among various organizations (City agencies, non-profits, and utilities) offering services to improve housing conditions. By integrating benefits screening, property assessment, and construction management, Built to Last creates a one-stop shop for low-income homeowners with repair needs and ensures a comprehensive approach to restoring homes. This model enhances government performance, leverages resources effectively, and maximizes impact on vulnerable households.

Built to Last aligns with the goal of making the energy system more equitable, reliable, and affordable. By focusing on low-income neighborhoods and homes, the initiative addresses social inequities and contributes to community development. The restoration efforts create jobs (many directly through the Green Retrofit Immersive Training (GRIT) Program developed and funded by PEA) and stimulate economic growth in the communities being served. The emphasis on energy efficiency, electrification, and rooftop solar PV contributes directly to decarbonization, aligning with broader sustainability objectives. Further, Built to Last aims to mitigate chronic diseases and reduce healthcare costs as a fundamental component of holistic home repairs.

PEA completed its pilot program that concluded in 2022 and immediately began to scale the program with operational improvements developed in the pilot phase. To date, PEA has completed construction in 58 homes and construction is underway on an additional 30 homes. PEA’s goal is to complete 400 holistic repairs by the end of 2024 and 10,000 homes by the end of 2033.

These comprehensive repairs, which leverage 3+ repair programs in each home, include basic system repairs to stabilize homes along with a wide range of health, safety, and energy performance improvements, showcase a transformative change in how we preserve low-income households and communities while also transforming homes into healthy, safe, affordable and resilient places to live.

Built to Last has the potential for replication beyond Philadelphia. Its coordinated approach, collaborative coalition, and multi-faceted model can serve as a blueprint for other regions facing similar challenges. By overcoming the complexities of siloed services and addressing barriers to efficient housing interventions, the project demonstrates a pathway for scaling up impact. In fact, this is already taking place. Built to Last was the inspiration for the Whole Home Repair Act in Pennsylvania which provides substantial funding to all counties in the Commonwealth to replicate this type of coordinated repair approach.