There is a new program working it’s way through congress right now and hopefully will be part of the upcoming jobs bill. It’s called HOMESTAR or as it’s been called in the media “Cash for Caulkers”.
I thought I’d share some details of the program and how it could be a benefit to our local economy.
HOME STAR was originally proposed by a coalition of business leaders as a cost-effective way to stimulate rapid job creation and jumpstart a sustainable market for home energy retrofits. The growing home performance industry will provide good jobs for American workers long after the incentive program has been phased out.
It’s no secret that construction has been a major component of our local economy. With the real estate market and home sales down, unemployment for the construction trades and related industries has had a big impact. If we don’t find ways to put these people back to work, continued unemployment threatens to derail our economic recovery.
HOMESTAR will help to build an American industry that can be market-based and sustainable. The necessary skills can be quickly learned by any experienced construction worker. 90% of the materials used in these types of projects on average, are produced in the U.S.A. Stimulating consumer demand for energy retrofits will create jobs that can’t be outsourced overseas and will assist the state in meeting it’s energy reduction and climate goals.
Well over half the existing housing stock in the Sacramento region was built before the introduction of the state energy code and would benefit greatly from energy improvements. In my next post in this series, I’ll share some ways the program would be a huge benefit to homeowners.
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