Addressing local energy poverty through the creation of energy renovation offices

Introduction

LIFE ReHABITA project aims to alleviate energy poverty by fostering deep energy renovations of the energy inefficient homes of vulnerable families in the municipalities of Lorca (ES), Ploiești (RO), Plovdiv (BU), Saldus (LV), and Gospić (HR).

Overcoming Perceptions

Despite all the advantages that a deep renovation would have on the quality of life of a vulnerable family, citizens continue to perceive the need for renovation as a problem rather than an opportunity. In order to overcome this barrier, the project will set up ReHABITA Offices (one-stop shops) to deliver integrated home renovation services in some of the most deprived neighborhoods in the participating municipalities.

In those offices, municipal technicians will guide citizens through the whole process until their homes are energy-refurbished.

Project Objectives

In relation to the general project indicators, the primary objective is to:

1. Renovate 500 dwellings.
2. Provide benefits to 1,250 citizens through these renovation works.

The project will facilitate an investment of over 6.5 million € to accomplish this goal.

Expected Impact

The renovation activities are anticipated to have a significant positive impact on the quality of life for vulnerable citizens, resulting in a remarkable 37% reduction or 2,144 MWh/year in energy consumption per household.

Accompanying Actions

LIFE ReHABITA also includes accompanying actions that are essential to address the alleviation of energy poverty in an integral way. In the spirit of the New European Bauhaus, the aim of LIFE ReHABITA is not only to act at the citizen and building level but also on the environment of the buildings concerned.

To this end, each municipality will implement climate change adaptation actions that will act as climate shelters for extreme weather events, following a process of co-creation with the citizens.