The American Electric Power Foundation awarded H.O.M.E.S., Inc., a $100,000 grant, which was recommended by Kentucky Power. The award supports cutting-edge energy-efficient upgrades that help the organization create safer and more sustainable living spaces for families in Letcher County.
The first home to benefit from this grant was the 22nd house completed by H.O.M.E.S, Inc., for flood survivors. After the original home on this property was destroyed by flooding, the group rebuilt a new, elevated structure on the same site to mitigate future flood risks. Recently, the family officially closed on their new home, marking the start of a safe and secure living environment.
Assistance Program Manager, Tammy Collins, said thanks to the AEP Foundation grant, this energy-efficient home achieved a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 42.
"The HERS score is an independent, third-party rating system that evaluates a home's energy efficiency. For comparison, a standard new home built to national codes scores 100 on the HERS scale, with lower scores indicating higher efficiency. A score of 42 means this home is 58% more energy-efficient than the average new build—an outstanding achievement," Collins explained. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Kentucky Power and the AEP Foundation for making this work possible. Your support has helped us build stronger, safer, and more energy-efficient homes for families in need. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey," said Collins.