United Way’s YouthBuild Long Island Program Holds Green Energy Demonstration at Home in Southampton

United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild Program and the Town of Southampton Housing Authority recently joined together for a Green Deep Energy Retrofit demonstration. YouthBuild students worked side-by-side with skilled industry professionals to demonstrate the installation of high efficiency air sealing and insulation at a Ludlam Ave. home that is being developed under the Southampton Housing Authority as an affordable rental property. The dilapidated home underwent a “gut rehab” and is in the process of being reconstructed as a green, energy efficient three- bedroom, two-bathroom residence.

This win-win partnership furthers the mission of the Housing Authority to develop affordable mixed-income housing opportunities that will also provide savings on energy costs through efficiencies utilized in YouthBuild’s green construction practices. Working on these homes is also an important training exercise for the young adults participating in the YouthBuild Program who will gain experience in areas of weatherization, renewables, and energy star efficiency in preparation for careers in the high-demand green industry field. 

“Here we have a great example of neighbor helping neighbor to meet the diverse needs of a community,” said Honorable Bridget Fleming, Councilwoman, Town of Southampton. “Young people are learning sustainable building trades while a community sees blighted housing revitalized and receives much needed attainable and attractive housing. The Town of Southampton is committed to supporting the community and we look forward to ongoing relationships with YouthBuild Long Island and the Housing Authority.

“It is wonderful when you can see a vision finally come to fruition,” said Bonnie Cannon, Chair of the Town of Southampton Housing Authority. “The Housing Authority is about attainable housing, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and community. This collaboration is an example of what can be done when we all come together with the same goal in mind.  This effort not only provides a home for someone in need, but it also provides a viable job and skill training for our youth.  I love it."

“The single most important aspect of building energy efficiency into a home is during the air sealing and insulating process,” said Rick Wertheim, Senior Vice President, United Way of Long Island. “The savings that residents will yield with this level of efficiency will be sustainable for the lifecycle of the home and produce savings in excess of thirty percent compared to neighboring homes. Healthy, safe, durable and sustainable energy savings should be accessible to all Long Islanders, especially those who are in the greatest need.”

YouthBuild Long Island is a free youth and community-development program and alternative school, which addresses core issues facing low-income communities. A strong focus is placed on green-industry job opportunities in energy efficiency, renewables, weatherization, energy star construction and home performance. 

Photo ID: YouthBuild Long Island Construction Trainer Robert Liptak and student Jasmine Chambers