| The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in El Paso, Texas, is one of the largest Hispanic-majority universities in the United States. As such, UTEP plays a significant role in preparing the next generation of Hispanic professionals and future leaders. In striving for excellence in both academia and public service, UTEP works in partnership with public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations to improve the quality of life in their region by providing appropriate university expertise and knowledge.
With the help of a HSIAC grant, the UTEP Energy Center will work with nonprofit community-based development organizations to institute the Sustainability Through Energy-Efficiency Program. The program promotes energy efficiency in the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. The objectives of the program are to influence builders to use energy-efficient designs and technologies, enhance energy awareness on the part of consumers, particularly lower-income families entering the housing market. The program will also encourage lenders to take "life-cycle costing" consideration in account when calculating loan amounts and the applicants' ability-to-pay. Four elements will function to meet these objectives. They are the use of energy-efficient housing methods, homeownership training, lender seminars to promote the benefits of energy efficient housing, and a public outreach campaign to advance the grant program's benefits.
Energy efficient construction technologies, as alternatives to traditional construction, are increasingly recognized as important variables in the affordable housing equation. Energy and utility costs are the most important determiner of housing affordability after mortgage and rent payments and also have an effect on evictions and homelessness.
The area UTEP will serve consists of El Paso County, Texas, and Doņa Ana County, New Mexico. The two counties are contiguous and are located adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border. Specific program activities are proposed for sites within the designated Empowerment Zone in the city of El Paso, Texas. Other sites for the program activities will be undertaken in city of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and in unincorporated colonias within both counties. This region of the country is noted for its depressed economy and the low education and skill level of its residents. With poverty omnipresent and a lack of affordable housing, touting the benefits of and building energy-efficient housing is a practical solution to these two interconnected social issues.
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