WASHINGTON - October 11, 2007 - With heating bills expected to rise throughout the United States this winter, NeighborWorks(R) America and the NeighborWorks(R) network are urging all homeowners to take advantage of opportunities to reduce their energy consumption and energy costs.

A check-list of energy saving tips is available on the NeighborWorks America website (http://nw.org/network/newsroom/MediaKit.asp).

Many NeighborWorks organizations have extensive experience in home rehabilitation that can be tapped to help homeowners transform high-energy use homes into lower cost, and warmer houses.

"Rising home heating costs adversely affect the ability of low- and moderate-income families to meet their monthly expenses," said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks(R) America.

According to a forecast from the Energy Information Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy, average winter heating costs for the 2007-2008 season could surge to more than $977, an increase of $88, or nearly ten percent over last year.

"Homeowners who take small steps now to improve the energy efficiency of their homes may be able to reap substantial savings over the course of the winter," said Wade.

About NeighborWorks(R) America

NeighborWorks(R) America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. To date, we have assisted nearly 850,000 low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks(R) network - more than 235 community development organizations working in 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks(R) organizations have generated more than $12.4 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks(R) America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. www.nw.org.

NeighborWorks America

NeighborWorks America

NeighborWorks America is one of the nation's largest and most diverse community development organizations, specializing in homeownership programs, training and multifamily housing.

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