Residential Energy Efficiency for Low Income Households (REELIH)

Residential heating energy accounts for more than 30 percent of energy use in most countries of Europe and Central Asia, and even more than 40 percent in the Balkans. Previous construction and heating methods did not focus on saving energy and the environment. As a result, a highly inefficient energy use intensifies the impact of escalating energy prices on low-income households.
Especially in urban areas, the pre-fabricated multi-story apartment buildings are generally poorly insulated and maintained, providing a low level of energy efficiency and living comfort. Current construction standards and practices for these residential buildings lag behind international standards and are not effectively applied in building and in the refurbishment of old buildings.
It is important to address this problem in order to help countries of Central and Eastern Europe move forward on the road to energy reforms and limit energy waste and air pollution.

Habitat for Humanity and USAID Residential Energy Efficiency for Low Income Houselholds (REELIH) project aims to improve living standards in multi-unit apartment buildings in Eurasia. It focuses on developing a regional effort, resources and networks to address the impact of rising energy prices on collective housing.
The REELIH project includes the involvement of all stakeholders who promote, create, finance and directly implement energy efficiency projects.