The Community Action Council of Howard County has secured a $2 million grant to revitalize more housing units across the county to help improve the quality of life for residents.

The funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allow for the weatherization of homes, including upgrading HVAC systems, resealing windows, adding insulation and looking at any air filtration issues, said Joanna Lake, a public affairs specialist for the CAC.

“When those types of issues are addressed, you are also creating more energy-efficient homes,” Lake said. “And therefore you’re lowering the cost of utilities on a monthly basis for the homeowner or renter, and then you are also lowering your carbon footprint.”

The nonprofit focuses on mitigating the negative impacts of poverty. CAC was one of three groups across the nation to receive the Healthy Homes grant, and the only group in the state to receive it. It is also the first time that Howard County has gotten this particular grant, Lake said.

To receive these upgrades and improvements, Lake said, an individual renter or homeowner can fill out an application on the CAC’s website. If the applicant is eligible for weatherization services, a team member will assess the need about six weeks after the application is submitted, she said.

Property owners who want to see their apartment complex renovated can also reach out directly to CAC for the same weatherization services, Lake said.

Tracy Broccolino, CAC’s president, said at a press conference Friday that the weatherization program is the nonprofit’s largest. Last year, the group weatherized more than 550 homes.

With about $250,000 in local funds, CAC was able to make 21 homes weatherization-ready. “Think of the impact we’re about to have,” Broccolino said.

CAC goes into homes and communities that are typically marginalized and in need of major improvements, Broccolino said. “We as a community and society think that’s acceptable. It’s not acceptable.”

Now, with the $2 million grant, CAC can help improve living conditions and also make homes more energy-efficient. She said that after weatherization was completed on homes last year, renters and home owners saved an average of $665.

“That’s the difference between buying food and paying your utility bill for a lot of homes,” Broccolino said.

The improvements also help the environment by limiting the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air, she said.

“We’ve saved them financially and now we’re giving back to the environment,” Broccolino said. “Hello, this is amazing.”

CAC is also partnering with the county’s Office on Aging & Independence to bring weatherization services to older Howard County residents. Ofelia Ross Ott, administrator for the aging office, said at Friday’s news conference that the partnership will help improve the living and health conditions, safety and overall the quality of life for older adults.

Going into a senior home is too expensive for most people, Broccolino said, and people deserve to age in place.

“The housing stock for folks who are aging, it just isn’t around,” she said.

Matthew Ammon, director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, awarded the grant to CAC. He said no one in the county had asked for this type of funding before.

“This is really day one and we’re here on day one as a unified front to say ‘We are here for the long term to help you meet your goals,’” Ammon said.