HOME EMPOWER

Safety and Maintenance Inspections: Professional evaluations of homes on a sliding scale for 770 families. Each client educated on significant structural and safety problems for the home, including environmental issues (such as exposure to asbestos, lead and radon), and critical maintenance needs. Expanded free radon testing program by partnering with Oregon Health Authority to offer free radon testing for low and moderate income families in Oregon. Partnered with state licensed engineers to conduct foundation certifications for mobile/manufactured homes in Oregon and Washington. Renewed certification as an EPA Lead Safe Certified Firm. Continued compiling and distributing data for research related to environmental and safety hazards in the home. A market analysis of similar services provided by similarly rated multi-inspector firms in the region indicated that Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) provided home inspections for approximately 34% less than similar for profit companies. This significantly reduced pricing helped to ensure training opportunities for our educational programs while providing the public with significantly reduced pricing compared to similar for profit companies providing similar services. In addition, Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) regularly provides reduced fee home inspections for area government agencies. In 2024, these government agencies included the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, a government agency designed to help maintain rural farmlands. Home Empower (d.b.a. NHI) also partnered with KGW news to highlight radon safety hazards at area fire stations. By providing home inspections for government agencies at reduced rates compared to similar services by for profit companies, Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) is reducing the burden of government and providing the much needed independent services that these government agencies cannot provide for themselves. During the 2024 calendar year, Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) distributed approximately 770 home maintenance manuals to individuals in the community worth an estimated $23,100 based on comparable manuals in the marketplace. These manuals help to better educate the public about potential hazards in the home and how to properly address those issues. In 2024, Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) partnered with numerous other nonprofit agencies and educational programs by providing reduced rate home inspection services or home inspection training for their clients. A few partners included the Oregon Community Foundation, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Oregon Chinese Coalition, New Narratives Residential Mental Health Services, Habitat for Humanity Tuality, Habitat for Humanity Evergreen, Volunteers of America, and Proud Ground Community Land Trust. As part of its educational efforts, Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) has created a library of free instructional materials that empower consumers to identify and correct significant hazards in the home including hazards posed by radioactive radon gas, electrical hazards, fire safety, etc. Home Empower's efforts to provide free educational materials concerning health and safety hazards is rapidly gaining traction and is providing free valuable resources for the community. For example, Home Empower's instructional page on electrical hazards like "Zinsco Electric Panel" a dangerous and recalled electrical panel, and is providing homeowners across the United States with actionable information to increase safety in their homes. This distribution of free information empowers community members to protect their own health by researching and addressing safety issues, helps reduce the burden of government, and fulfills a critical need in the community. Home Empower's articles are occasionally cited by news organizations working to educate the public on specific housing hazards including the importance and proper placement of smoke detectors. In 2024, Home Empower partnered with the Oregon Health Authority to distribute 200 DIY radon testing kits per year for low and moderate income families all over the State of Oregon. Free testing kits were sent to all Oregon or Washington residents who applied and self-verified that they were at 80% or below of the median family income. Because radioactive radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, this partnership with the Oregon Health Authority is helping to directly improve public health outcomes.

Inspector Training: Continued educational training program and state licensed trade school designed to empower others to help identify significant hazards in housing. Opportunities included formal job training and an industry leading apprentice program. State licensed home inspector school taught 12 students through intensive instruction and field training. Continued certification as an educational provider for WorkSource Oregon and Washington, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries and numerous other government agencies in order to train injured, unemployed or displaced workers. Continued as an educational provider for the International Association of Machinists (IAM) Union and The Boeing Company. As part of their employment, Home Empower dba Nonprofit Home Inspections employees/apprentices completed 455 credit hours of education at an accredited postsecondary school as additional inspector training and to increase instructional capabilities. Reduced Rate Home Inspector Training: A market analysis of similarly qualified home inspection schools in Washington and Oregon highlighted that Home Empower (dba Nonprofit Home Inspections) training programs were provided for government entities and individuals for up to 77% less than similar for profit schools with similar government approvals and training agreements. This reduction in pricing for comparable training had the potential to save government entities and individuals approximately $138,060 compared to other similar training programs. Training unemployed, displaced or injured individuals for a new profession at significantly lower rates helps reduce the burden of government while filling a critical need for underserved community members. In 2024, one Inspector in Residence completed his residency requirements (including achieving Certified Master Inspector status) and left to pursue family wage employment in a related field.