One Wake Listening Sessions to Explore Needs Among Low-Income Renters and Homeowners and People Experiencing Homelessness: March 16 at 7:00 pm, in Finlator Hall

Pullen's Earth Ministry (EM) is participating in the first of One Wakes's Listening Sessions which is a part of their 3-month discernment focusing on the needs of under-served communities. You are invited to join us there on Thursday, March 16 at Baptist Grove Church, 7109 Leesville Rd, Raleigh at 7:00 pm. You can register here.

At the session, EM plans to explore two environmental justice needs, one for affordable energy bills and one for a permanent emergency shelter.

1st Need - Affordable Energy Bills for Low-Income Renters and Owners

Energy Costs take a much bigger chunk out of the budget of lower-income customers than the average customer, and Duke is projecting a 17% rise in rates over the next 13 years! There is also a need for equitable access for low-income renters and owners to new federal funding. Specifically funding through the IRA & IIJA Acts for clean, renewable energy, can lower energy bills. Funding will cover weatherization and urgent repairs, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and rooftop solar. Individual tax credits can amount to 30% of the cost of the upgrade and - depending on eligibility - rebates could be worth up to $14,000. Non-profits like faith communities can make use of these opportunities as well.

2nd Need - Permanent Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness or Inadequate Housing

There is a need for a permanent emergency shelter - a resilience center - for people in Wake County who need a place inside on White Flag nights when the temperatures are falling below 35 degrees, when there are extreme heat events in urban heat islands, or when there are power outages due to extreme storms. Temporary shelter during extremely cold winter nights currently being provided by Pullen and two other churches is unsustainable for the future. Funding can be explored including IRA and IIJA funding.

Please join us. Questions? Contact Lynn Lyle at lynnlyle777@gmail.com.