In 2021, the end of a grant that launched the West Broad Sustainability Project and West Broad Neighborhood Advisory Board resulted in dramatic conservation impacts for homeowners, and new leadership roles for neighborhood residents. The year ended with work to expand this program to North Athens.
Athens land Trust was awarded a Climate Solutions and Equity grant from Drawdown Georgia in 2022 to support our work in the West Broad neighborhood as well as communities in North Athens. This includes programs to deliver home repair, weatherization, and energy efficiency improvements; expand workforce development capacity through their Young Urban Builders program; assist low-income homeowners in applying to the state Weatherization Assistance Program for deep energy retrofits; and build community leadership capacity for the implementation of climate solutions by supporting the establishment of Neighborhood Advisory Boards.
In 2023, Athens Land Trust partnered with Action Inc., and the ACC Sustainability Office to create the Athens Energy Opportunity Program. Led by the West Broad and North Athens Advisory Boards, the goal of this program is to educate community members on Weatherization, Energy, Home Repairs, and other services.