Homes Improvement Program
2008 - 2021 Homes Improvement Program is now completed!
The HIP included windows, doors, siding in frame homes, baseboard heaters, and several optional upgrades to increase the efficiency of GHI homes. Over 12,500 windows were installed, 2,660 doors, nearly 1 million square feet of siding, and over 8,000 baseboard heaters. Optional improvements included insulating over 500 attics and installing 500 mini-split systems. Nearly 500 units received wall insulation. And thousands of other options were chosen for comfort and convenience. Remarkably, over 1.8 million dollars in rebates were secured by GHI members. The HIP staff wish to express their gratitude to the members who supported this program through timely preparations of their units and the accommodation of frequent changes. Especially during the pandemic, we are grateful for their willingness to work together to safely complete the HIP.
- HIP Product Literature:
- Acadia Windows Operating Instructions
- Acadia Windows Additional Operating Instructions
- Certainteed Siding and Trim Paint Color Guide
- Honeywell Wireless Thermostat User Guide
- Honeywell Wireless Thermostat Programming
- Leviton Humidity Sensor and Fan Control Consumer Literature
- Leviton Humidity Sensor and Fan Control: How to Adjust the Settings YouTube Video
- Leviton Single Pole Humidity Sensor and Fan Controller Instructions
- Mini Split Heat Pump Training - Zoom Session Video
- Mitsubishi Anti-Allergy Filter
- Mitsubishi Mini-Split Heat Pump Indoor Wall-Mounted Unit Operation Manual
- ODL Add-On Door Window Blinds Option
- Proviadoor Storm Door Deluxe Model 399 Maintenance and Operation
- Reeb Door Colors to Sherwin Williams paint colors
- Vytex: Use, Care and Maintenance of Your New Windows
- Window AC Shelf Plans for Framed Units
- Window AC Shelf Plan: Watch a Video on Installing your Window AC Shelf
Background Information
Most GHI homes were built in the 1930's and 40's. In the 1980's, GHI undertook a rehab of the original townhouses that included major upgrades to many of the homes' components. After this costly rehabilitation of our homes, the Board of Directors decided to begin collecting replacement reserve contributions to fund the future replacement of most of these components of the homes. The result of the replacement reserves program is that many of the major components of GHI homes are already paid for by the time they need to be replaced. We are now at the end of the useful lives of many of those major components, therefore the Homes Improvement Program (H.I.P.) was created.
The H.I.P. first includes mandatory improvements for all homes: windows, doors, siding, baseboard heaters, and crawl space improvements. All mandatory items except for the crawl space improvements will be paid for out the replacement reserves fund. The crawl space improvements will require a loan, which the membership authorized at its Annual Meeting on May 14, 2015. Click here for information on this loan and the estimated member payments.
The Board of Directors also decided to offer certain optional improvements during the H.I.P., which members can choose to have done, at their expense. At the May 14th Annual Meeting, the membership also voted to allow GHI to obtain a loan to finance the members' optional work. This loan will be repaid fully by those members who choose to have optional work done.
The H.I.P. work is proposed to be completed over the course of five years. Each year work will be done on 1/5th of each of the block, brick and frame home types. The general annual HIP Schedule is outlined as follows:
Fall previous year: Exterior and Interior survey of cohort
January: Contracts Approved, Costs set
February: Option Surveys mailed to cohort
Help sessions staffed by Buildings Committee and volunteers
March: Surveys returned to HIP staff
April: HIP work start
December: HIP work completed
The Survey contains all selections and Members will have the opportunity to decide what fee-for-service options, if any, they would like to have installed.
The Board continues to deliberate and make decisions about details of the H.I.P. Be sure to read GHI's weekly E-News for the most recent updates (if you are not already subscribed, sign up here).
Member Choices
Some information about choices members will have are provided below:
| 6-panel, 0 Lite | 4-panel, 2 lite | 2-panel, 1/2 lite | Full View (G/S Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Door Color Choices | ||
|---|---|---|
| REEB Color Palette | Color | Estimated Cost |
| Alaskan Storm (White) | No additional charge | |
| Total Eclipse (Black) | No additional charge | |
| Java Bean | No additional charge | |
| Urban Dusk | No additional charge | |
| Deep Moss | No additional charge | |
| Royal Marine | No additional charge | |
| Mojave Red | No additional charge | |
|
Siding Color Choices |
|
|---|---|
| For two 1BR stacked end units, upper & lower units must agree on siding color. For four 1BR units, stacked around a shared stairwell, all units must agree on siding color. | |
| Off-white (tan) |  |
| Light gray |  |
| Almond |  |
| Dark tan |  |
| Gray-green |  |
| Green |  |
| Blue/gray |  |
| Clay |  |
| Autumn Yellow |  |
