HERO Program Helps Homeowners Meet Governor's 25% Water Reduction Target
SAN DIEGO, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown's announcement of mandatory water conservation measures mark a significant change in the state's approach to promoting water efficiency. To date, urban water managers have relied primarily on voluntary compliance to water saving targets, and incentives, such as rebates, to encourage California residents to use less water during the drought.
Urban water managers must now pull together systems for monitoring and enforcing this new statewide mandate to reduce demand for water. One such tool available within a growing number of California communities is the HERO Program. The HERO Program allows property owners to make both water- and energy-saving improvements and to pay for them over time through their property taxes.
Although HERO is best known for helping homeowners make energy efficient improvements, it can also be used to fund many of the water-saving improvements Governor Brown called for in his recent announcement, including drip irrigation systems, drought-tolerant landscaping and high efficiency toilets and faucets.
"Our goal is to provide homeowners with affordable financing for projects that will reduce their water usage in their homes and yards by more than 25%," said JP McNeill, CEO of Renovate America, program administrator for the HERO Program.
California's largest and fastest-growing PACE program, the HERO Program, finances a variety of indoor and outdoor water-saving measures, including whole-home graywater systems and rain catchment systems. HERO is now available to more than 70% of California homeowners in almost 300 communities throughout the state, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.
"PACE funding can be used for water conserving improvements, which in the face of our severe drought, may be crucial for both homeowners and our state," noted Ken Alex, senior policy advisor to Governor Brown and director of the State Office of Planning and Research.
In order for homeowners to have access to PACE financing, the city or county in which they live must pass a resolution enabling the program to move forward. The majority of California residents now live in jurisdictions where PACE financing is available.
"Property owners are fortunate to have new options for water conservation with simple financing packages like HERO," said Jan Harnik, Palm Desert City Councilmember and chair of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. "The HERO program offers a wide array of water efficiency products, making it a valuable and viable solution for homeowners to reduce their water use and invest in their homes."
Cities and counties need only pass a resolution in order to make PACE programs like HERO available to local property owners.
"One of the great things about having HERO available in our community is that it brings energy- and water-saving improvements within financial reach for a lot of property owners who have dreamed of cutting down on water use, or going solar, but may have been unable to afford making these types of large-scale improvements," noted San Diego Supervisor Dave Roberts.
The HERO program has received the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, the Urban Land Institute Best of the Best and the Southern California Association of Governments President's Award for Excellence. Taking part in the HERO Program is 100% voluntary for both jurisdictions and property owners. The program is cost neutral to participating local governments. To learn more about the HERO Financing Program, and to apply, property owners can visit www.heroprogram.com or call 855-HERO-411 (855-437-6411).
SOURCE HERO Program
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