the Whiteaker neighborhood would reveal 'th_at two-thirds of its 6000 residents are low-income (HUD guidelines), 80 per- • cent are renters, almost 30 percent are over sixty years ojage and a large portion of the households are headed by single parents: An inspection showed that 42 percent of the residential structures are in need of m,ajor repair. Whiteaker, located in the older part of town, is an area of mixed usage. Light industry, warehouses, office buildings and residential dwellings are often found around the cornerfrom.each other. The following is the first of a two-part article. Part one outlines the programs being developed in each of the five major areas ofplanning. Part two, which will be published in several months, will be an evaluation of the project with a ~ritical eye focused on its strengths and weaknesses. The author, John Jennings, is involved with the energy component of the project and spends his spare time as a teaching assistant (environmental control systems) and graduate student in the University of Oregon's School of Architecture. John or Maureen Good, project coordinator, can be contacted at UJCD, 341 Van Buren, Eugene, OR 97402, 503/343-7713. - PC COMMUNITY PLANNING • The Energy use analysis group is compiling data from a residential survey that was sent out to the neighbors. This data, along with figures on commercial and industrial consumption, will give a picture of t_he amount and types of energy imported into the neighborhood. Survey data will also be used to determine the degree of insulation and weatherization undertaken to date. With this information and studies of renewable energy available in the neighborhood, an effec- . tive strategy can be outlined for reducing energy costs and dependence. • A financial plan is being prepared for the phased development of an Energy Services company to provide insulation, storm windows and other conservation devices and solar hot water systems. The intent is to create a struct~re that balances neighborhood ownership and worker management. It is anticipated that ·this company will start as a joint venture with an existing company but still be able to capture some of the outgoing capital by keeping a percentage of the sales income in the neighbor~ood. • The Renter Weatherization Program at present is an advo~ cacy operation working closely with the City of Eugene to ensure that renter weatherization is inc~uded in its energy policy. It is anticipated that a mandatory program will be necessary and the group is working on ways to make the idea more palatable to landlords (i.e., provide low interest loans • for landlords to weatherize, etc.) and equitable to renters. It will alsq publicize the availability of assistance from the local Community Action Weatherization Program and with White- . aker's Project Self-Reliance make available low cost plastic for windows. • Lastly, but integral to the Energy Project, is the organizational and educational efforts of the outreach workers. A citizen's committee (WEPAC) has been formed to advise and assist the aforementioned efforts and to help stimulate neighborhood participation. Literature on conservation, weatherization and solar energy is being distributed to the neighbors to help them work toward the neighborhood goal of energy self-reliance. Each day, a wealth of aluminum, glass, tin and organic material is thrown away by neighborhood residents. Embodied energy co'ntained in the production of these items is wasted. Many jobs could be provided by "mining" these resources before they reach the dump. Developing this potential ties directly' into the community's efforts in energy, food and November 1979 RAIN Page 15
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