Press Release: Local supportive housing provider sees big savings after going green.

by Erin Minor

June 17, 2022

Harvest House is Going Green!

Contact: Clifford McDonald | Marketing Coordinator | 941.953.3154 ext. 162 | clifford@harvesthousecenters.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

SARASOTA, FL. June 20, 2022 – Thanks to Partners for Green Places (PFGP), Harvest House is going green (while saving green $)!

PFGP is a cross-sector partnership that includes Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, DreamLarge, University of Florida IFAS Extension, Sarasota County Government, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, and the City of Sarasota. The goal of this community-wide movement and grant program is to encourage organizations to play an active role in adopting energy-efficient and sustainable practices.

The biggest part of this project involved the installation of solar panels during the Spring of 2021 on four residential units serving men in recovery from substance abuse.

Turning Savings into Service

After one year of the solar panels being in service, they have generated 47.3 MWh of electricity, reduced total electricity consumption by 11%, and Harvest House has saved $4,400. Looking to the future, savings will continue to increase.

Harvest House CEO Erin Minor says the project has allowed the nonprofit to free up funds and use them in areas that better support the mission and vision of their programs – to champion hope and transform lives via food security, supportive housing for families and young adults, and residential addiction recovery.

Apart from installing solar panels, Harvest House was able to install low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, and LED lighting retrofits in each of their units. This funding also allowed for the replacement of outdated HVAC units, the removal of debris from A/C condenser units, and the re-insulation of A/C condenser lines. Harvest House is home to 380 men, women, and children on any given night.

“Partners for Green Places allowed us to receive a proper energy audit without interacting with salespeople with other motives. The roadmap gave us clear instructions on what professionals could offer and what items we could carry out ourselves,” explains Harvest House CEO Erin Minor. “We’re saving money while simultaneously creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

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About Harvest House: Harvest House is a nonprofit supportive housing provider with 8 campuses, 25 affordable rentals, and 380 beds throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. With a firm belief that all people deserve safe, stable housing and the opportunity to dream again, Harvest House became a pioneer in the local supportive and affordable housing movement in 1992. Their model engages people who are working to rebuild their lives by offering case management, life-enrichment classes and programs, hunger relief, and clean, dignified housing. Here, participants achieve residential stability, increase their skill level, and obtain a greater understanding of their strengths and purpose. Harvest House believes that supportive and affordable housing programs improve the economic status of residents, revitalize neighborhoods, and stabilize lives for generations to come. For more information, visit harvesthousecenters.org.

About Partners for Green Places: Partners for Green Places is an initiative forged to inspire organizations to play an active and engaged role in the adoption of sustainable practices. The goal is to showcase organizations that have adopted sustainable practices to deliver meaningful results and share those stories so any organization can understand how they, too, can be a part of forging a more sustainable future. visit partnersforgreenplaces.org/