Gary Turco

Last week, the State Bond Commission approved $18 million to launch a new program called the Housing Environmental Improvement Revolving Loan and Grant Fund. The goal is simple: help homeowners and affordable housing developers make energy-saving upgrades that reduce utility costs and make homes safer and more comfortable.

The program will be run by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and will support things like more efficient heating and cooling systems, insulation and building upgrades, and other improvements that cut down on wasted energy.

It also tackles a big problem that often stops projects before they start — health and safety issues like asbestos, old wiring, mold, or moisture that must be fixed before energy work can move forward.

Here’s how the funding breaks down:

• $12 million will help developers upgrade existing multifamily affordable housing with energy-efficient retrofits.
• $6 million will help lower-income homeowners remove health and safety barriers so their homes can qualify for weatherization and efficiency programs.

This matters because too many families — especially those with lower incomes — spend a large share of their paychecks on energy bills. Fixing these barriers opens the door to real, long-term savings and more comfortable homes.

This program was authorized by the legislature earlier this year, and it builds on successful DEEP programs that have already helped dozens of households but ran out of funding due to high demand. DEEP is now working on setting up the program, with the goal of launching loans and grants by the end of 2026.

The investment also fits into broader efforts to bring down energy costs statewide, including new laws that will save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars and ongoing energy efficiency programs that return more savings than they cost.

Bottom line: this is about making housing more affordable, cutting energy bills, and making sure more Connecticut residents can benefit from energy efficiency — no matter their income or where they live.

From the CT Humane Society:

A purr-fect way to have your child practice their reading aloud skills: Sign up for a session of Reading to Pets at CT Humane Society.

Join the Connecticut Humane Society at the Newington location for a limited-run program, “Reading to Pets” on Dec. 30. Designed for children ages 6-18, the session will help sharpen your child’s reading skills while allowing them to spend quality time with a pet in care at the shelter.

During their session, children will have the opportunity to read to cats or small pets, all of whom are excited to lend a furry ear to any new or seasoned reader. Bring your favorite book or pick from one provided by CHS.

Watch your child’s confidence in reading grow as they bring comfort and compassion to shelter pets. Reading sessions are 20-minutes long. Pre-registration is required.

There is a registration fee of $12.51 per child, per session. One adult must accompany their reader for the entire session. Due to space limits and safety requirements, only one reader and one adult per reservation. Siblings and additional adults are not able to accompany you and your child to the session.

Important Notes for Parents of Participants:

· This program does not include hands-on interactions with the pets.

· Reading sessions will occur outside of the pet’s enclosure. Attendees are unable to enter the pet’s enclosure for any reason.

· CHS will provide chairs for the reader and adult. If preferred, children are welcome to sit on the ground next to the pet’s enclosure. Blankets will be available.

· Each session is 20 minutes long. If you are running late, it will cut into your reading time.

· Participants will read to cats or small pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or birds. CHS staff are unable to take requests and available pets will be selected in advance by staff. To best care for the pups at CHS, dog kennels are closed to the public and will not be accessible during this program.

· Each child participating must remain with their adult at all times. Due to limited space and to ensure an optimal experience for the pets and other participants, only one child and one adult per session. Please leave siblings and additional adults at home, as CHS is closed to the public during the program times.

· If at any point behavior of the reader or pet becomes a concern, CHS reserves the right to end the session.

If you have any questions, please email Ashley at Outreach@cthumane.org.