Why has Whirlpool Corporation made it a priority to partner with Habitat?

We believe that the four walls around us have the power to unlock immense opportunity for the homeowner and their family. It starts with decent and affordable housing – the foundation of a stable life and a bright future. That’s why Whirlpool Corporation gives purposefully of our time, funds and products to the communities where we live and work.

Everything we do rolls up to our vision to be the best kitchen and laundry company in constant pursuit of improving life at home. This is especially true in our approach to social responsibility.

What is Habitat’s BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative?

The three-year BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative expands upon Habitat’s current efforts to help homeowners mitigate the impact of climate change with more energy-efficient and resilient homes. The purpose of the initiative is to continue to promote energy-resilient, hazard-resilient and climate-resilient housing at Habitat affiliates across the U.S., leaning on lessons learned over the course of more than a decade.

The three-phase initiative began in 2021 and includes research and collaboration; a strategic pilot of proven, successful tactics in target markets; and ultimately resources that can be expanded upon and immediately implemented across the U.S. By working with Habitat’s research and measurement team, we can evaluate how homeowners are living in the homes, which will inform changes that can be made in the future so that homes are designed that are good for the environment and for the homebuyer’s specific needs.

Habitat homes built through this initiative are designed to have a 15% greater overall energy efficiency compared to local code minimums. They’re also built stronger to better withstand increasing severe weather events and changing climate conditions, and the homes produce less in operational carbon emissions.

The homes are built using regionally based, specific methods and materials to meet or exceed regional and national verification program requirements, which can include increased insulation and air sealing, higher efficiency heating and cooling equipment, fire-resilient materials, and fixtures that reduce water consumption. In some markets, homes might feature a safe room that meets or exceeds FEMA requirements, offering reinforced shelter in a high-wind event.

How else does Whirlpool Corporation work with Habitat around the world?

Whirlpool Corporation supports Habitat’s work in Poland, including Habitat Poland’s expansion of its Warsaw social rental program in response to the war in Ukraine. Through the program, Habitat Poland acts as a mediating agent, leasing units and then renting them at affordable rates to tenants who can’t afford free-market rates. The program is being tailored for refugees from Ukraine, who will need a larger subsidy at the outset as they look for jobs and become more familiar with the community. Whirlpool Corporation donated appliances that will be used in the rental units. Also, in July 2022, Whirlpool Corporation employees gathered in Gliwice, Poland, to help renovate homes that will be part of the social rental program.

How and why has Whirlpool Corporation advocated for decent housing?

Through Cost of Home, Habitat’s U.S. advocacy campaign, we’re informing and educating Whirlpool Corporation employees about policy solutions for home affordability, which can be a tool to recover from COVID-19 and to advance racial equity.

We also support Habitat’s global housing forums and really value how they bring together experts and housing advocates from a wide variety of sectors to connect and collaborate around practical solutions for increasing access to affordable housing.

During these forums, Habitat announces Innovation Awards winners, which celebrate global innovators in the housing sector. In 2021, we were proud to sponsor the awards’ inspirational practices category and help shine the spotlight on public and public-private partnerships that are actively increasing access to decent and affordable housing for those who need it most.

At Whirlpool Corporation, we always seek to identify new ways to demonstrate our commitment to our goal of making life in our homes, our communities and our operations better today and in the future. Our partnership with Habitat helps us demonstrate environmental and social responsibility through the life-changing work that we help make possible.

Puerto Rico’s civil code is based on Spanish law dating back to the late 1800s. Under the civil code, families living on a plot of land can be recognized as the rightful owner after inhabiting said land for a period of time, even if the land was owned by someone else. The civil code also does not require that property be submitted to Puerto Rico’s property registry after it has been acquired by a new owner, which can be a cost-prohibitive process. “It could cost $300 if the property is cheap, but it could be up to thousands of dollars to register your property,” says Torres Rivera. “When we deal with our participants, who are low-income families, they won’t be able to pay $300 or $500. They prefer to invest that money buying food and paying bills rather than submitting to a property registry when legally they know they don’t have to do it.”

Though Puerto Rico doesn’t require residents to have a clear title to property, proof of a clear title was required to qualify for disaster funds after hurricanes Irma and Maria by those offering aid. That’s why Habitat and Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia have been working together to help ensure families are able to receive the funds they need to rebuild and be more resilient to future disasters through title clearance, which is part of a larger, collective approach to addressing housing security issues in Puerto Rico. “People deserve the security of knowing that when funds come, especially these recovery funds, they will have access,” says Torres Rivera.

Habitat and the Fundación have helped 489 families navigate complex legal procedures and clear their titles through the program, as of July 2022.  Ultimately, 500 families will receive legal aid through the work of Habitat and the Fundación to help them obtain clear titles. Habitat also developed a one-page application for people in Puerto Rico to apply for home repair assistance that helped inspire the adoption of a more efficient and simplified application process on the island for those seeking assistance.

Securing a brighter future

In addition to this vital tenure work, Habitat partnered with the University of Puerto Rico School of Law Master Trust to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the existing land trust on the island to support the creation of new policies and systems that will improve shelter and land resilience issues in the long term. “Our hope was that this research would provide insight and learnings into the complex evolution of land tenure in Puerto Rico and lead to new legislation that improves security of tenure for homeowners in the future,” says Amanda Silva, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico. That hope was put into action when Habitat made policy-change recommendations to the local and federal governments that addressed tenure security in Puerto Rico based on local and international research.

Land is the foundation for safe and affordable shelter. By working to secure official title clearances and continuing to support policies that will further improve security of tenure, Habitat and AbbVie are committed to working alongside homeowners in Puerto Rico to build a solid foundation for a bright and resilient future.

Lyssa hated the choice she faced: change her career or move to a more affordable area. Her young family lived in a two-bedroom rental apartment that was owned by the Aspen School District and offered to teachers at subsidized rents for up to five years. Their lease was soon ending, and their family was already outgrowing the small space.

If they moved away, they’d not only have to restart their lives, but they’d be leaving two critical jobs vacant. Jeremy works as an information technology professional for the Pitkin County government. Lyssa says county workers, much like teachers, are experiencing a “mass exodus” due to housing unaffordability.

Partnering for affordability

Lyssa and Jeremy feared they would need to leave the valley until they heard about Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley’s new Basalt Vista neighborhood, a 27-home community devoted to bringing affordable homeownership opportunities to schoolteachers and county workers. Lyssa and Jeremy, who qualified for the program through Jeremy’s Pitkin County job, perfectly fit the bill. In September 2020, the couple moved into Basalt Vista and exhaled with relief that they would be staying in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Habitat had forged key local partnerships to create the multifamily development. The Roaring Fork School District donated an estimated $3 million of land, and Pitkin County gave $4 million to go toward building costs. The partnerships opened doors for Habitat, the school district and the county to design a neighborhood where county workers and in-district teachers could thrive in the same community where they work.

Helping essential workers stay and serve

An absence of affordable housing across the U.S. continues to threaten the livelihoods of essential workers like Lyssa and Jeremy and Katie. Through Basalt Vista, Habitat Roaring Fork Valley and partners have created a housing solution to help 27 families stay in the area and continue serving the community.

Katie often stands on her porch and reflects on becoming a homeowner. “My home is very important. It’s my sanctuary,” Katie says. “What does this house mean for me? It changed my life.”