Connecticut Insurance Department highlights urgent need for Climate Smart Technology in Affordable Housing - CT Green Bank

HARTFORD, CT – August 7, 2024 — Commissioner Andrew N. Mais shared that the Connecticut Insurance Department, in collaboration with key partners, released a report on the pressing need for climate smart technology in affordable housing. The report, titled “Emerging Public Health Needs for Climate Smart Technology in Connecticut Affordable Housing,” underscores the critical importance of investing in backup power and stable indoor temperature solutions to protect residents who rely on Home Medical Devices (HMDs), especially those in vulnerable communities.

This initiative is backed by the Connecticut Green Bank, Clean Energy Group, The Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and Operation Fuel, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Energy Storage Solutions program, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office.

An informational webinar on the report will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 pm EDT. To register for the webinar, please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/132552064745234522.

Connecticut, like many parts of the country, is increasingly facing climate change-related extreme weather events, leading to grid outages and temperature-related emergencies. While hospitals typically have backup generators, most residential buildings do not. Power disruptions significantly affect individuals who depend on electricity for their HMDs, which are essential for managing medical conditions and ensuring independent living.

“As we face the growing challenges of climate change, we must prioritize the integration of climate-smart technologies in our affordable housing initiatives,” said Commissioner Mais. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, particularly those dependent on home medical devices, is a responsibility we cannot overlook. By fostering innovation and leveraging public-private partnerships, including with the insurance and public health sectors, we can enhance the resilience of our communities and provide essential protections for our most vulnerable populations. The Connecticut Insurance Department is proud to support this crucial work and remains committed to advancing sustainable, resilient housing solutions for all.”

“We spoke with close to 100 people across the state, hearing firsthand from people who rely on home medical devices and those who care for them, about their experiences and concerns related to power outages” said Annie Harper, PhD and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. “By listening to those most affected, we learned both about the challenges they face, and about solutions that will work for them.”

“As demand for emergency energy assistance grows every year, it is essential that low- and moderate-income residents benefit from emerging energy technologies,” said Roxanna Booth, Interim CEO of Operation Fuel. “Ensuring that families have access to power all year, especially during increasingly common extreme weather events, is an essential component of our state’s just energy transition.”

“Affordable housing providers are uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes in the event of a power outage,” said Marriele Mango, Project Director at Clean Energy Group. “By equipping their facilities with resilient power systems (solar+storage), providers can ensure that even their most vulnerable residents, including those reliant on electricity for medical needs, have access to basic but necessary services during an emergency, like outlets to charge medical devices and refrigeration to store medication.”

“This report underscores the intersection between energy resilience and health. In a season where many geographies are experiencing record high temperatures, it’s critical that we focus on policies and solutions that will keep people safe and make buildings more operationally efficient,” said Kimberlee Cornett, Director of Impact Investments for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“This project has provided us greater insights into addressing the challenges of increasing resilience for those living with home medical devices in multifamily affordable housing,” states Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “Through the investment in and deployment of climate smart technologies, in partnership with the banking, insurance, and healthcare industries, and state and federal incentives and financing, including the Inflation Reduction Act, we can improve the lives of those residing in vulnerable communities.”

Key Report Findings:

Many residents depend on multiple HMDs for critical health needs, including dialysis machines, ventilators, oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, and electric wheelchairs.
Residents often face financial strain due to high energy costs associated with running multiple HMDs.
Residents employ various strategies in preparation for and during outages, such as stocking up on supplies, using alternatives for refrigeration, and relying on social networks or emergency services for support.
Power outages cause significant anxiety and stress among residents, exacerbating their health and safety concerns. Where housing facilities have plans in place to support residents in case of power outages and communicate those plans effectively, residents feel less anxious.

Key Report Recommendations:

Broaden the definition of HMDs to include all devices critical for health management, mobility, and communication.
Individual residents should receive alerts to prepare for power outages.
Include health aides and nurses in planning efforts due to their on-the-ground experience with HMD users.
More resilient buildings would reduce the burden on emergency services and hospitals during outages.
Solutions must consider both physical health and emotional distress caused by power outages.
Housing providers should develop and communicate detailed emergency plans to all residents.
Buildings should provide common areas powered by backup energy sources for residents during short outages.
Encourage property managers to share best practices and strategies.
Utilize available local, state, and federal incentives and financing to implement climate smart technologies.
Foster collaboration between healthcare, insurance, public, and philanthropic sectors to fund climate smart technology investments.

Investing in climate smart technology for affordable housing is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of residents who rely on HMDs. By enhancing the resilience of these buildings, Connecticut can better protect its vulnerable populations and reduce the strain on emergency services during extreme weather events.