Entergy New Orleans teamed up with Rebuilding Together New Orleans to help local residents keep their homes safer, cooler, and more energy-efficient during the summer heat.

As part of three “Beat the Heat” volunteer events, Entergy employees assisted with weatherization work at three homes—two in District C and one in District B. The volunteers sealed windows and doors with caulking and installed Hardie board siding to improve the homes’ efficiency and comfort. These upgrades can help limit energy use, reduce monthly utility expenses, and provide greater relief for residents during periods of extreme temperatures.

“Supporting residents and helping them remain safe and comfortable at home is an important part of our commitment to the community,” said Stephanie Willis, director of public affairs at Entergy New Orleans. “Our collaboration with Rebuilding Together New Orleans allows us to make a meaningful difference for families while helping them control their energy expenses throughout the summer.”

Rebuilding Together New Orleans focuses on advancing health equity by addressing the important relationship between housing conditions and health, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Its home repair and community revitalization programs are designed to strengthen neighborhoods, support healthier living environments, and enhance residents’ quality of life.

Entergy New Orleans is committed to the belief that everyone should have access to a safe and healthy home. By working alongside community organizations and encouraging employee volunteerism, the company continues to support stronger, safer neighborhoods throughout New Orleans.

“Rent was too high, we needed more room, and we were not sure what to do.” said Choua and her husband,

KongPheng's, daughters Yuna and Arinya and son Vegeta faced multiple challenges that brought them to the point of seeking a better future.

“We really hoped to have our own home. We live in a small space on the second floor with no room for our children to play and with no yard for them to play outside. We also have so many mice in our home, no matter what we do. We know it’s not safe for our children to play surrounded by mouse waste daily.”

Friends and family encouraged Choua to apply for the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity homeownership program. She did it.

“Getting accepted was a weight off our shoulders,” she said. “All we have wanted was enough room for our family and a healthy place to raise our kids.”

“We all felt very excited and cannot wait to see our new home. We look forward to celebrating holidays and birthdays in our home. Home, to me, is the happiness you feel, and the family around you.”

"We no longer have to stress about where we will raise our children, or if it’s safe, or if we can find a place to live. Our goal is to take great care of our house and keep it clean and maintained.”

The family will be relocating to Appleton, Wisconsin, next year. This house is being built as part of Habitat for Humanity's BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative, which is an expansion of Habitat's existing BuildBetter program, which is building more than 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes over the next three years to help hundreds of families in need of affordable housing.

The family's new seven-bedroom home will include energy-efficient features to help reduce utility costs. Chou and KongPheng will also receive an energy-efficient refrigerator and range donated by Whirlpool Corporation to every Habitat-built home in North America.

The expanded initiative is at the heart of Whirlpool Corporation's global corporate social responsibility strategy "House+Home": building houses and improving housing adequacy to ensure everyone has a comfortable place to live, as well as developing resilient, vibrant neighborhoods in the communities where it does business through education and community development. Whirlpool Corporation will assist Habitat for Humanity in the construction of homes designed to withstand increasing storm winds, natural disasters, and other severe weather events through House+Home.

Choua is grateful for the support she received as she attained home ownership. “Habitat has changed my outlook on the future,” she said. “They’ve taught me to know better and take better care of my property and home.”

She is now looking to being a responsible homeowner.

“They’ve also taught me how to be a good neighbor. The first thing we will do in our home is make it beautiful. We no longer have to stress about where we will raise our children, or if it’s safe, or if we can find a place to live. Our goal is to take great care of our house and keep it clean and maintained."

“We are so proud of all the hard work we put in to make a Habitat home possible for our family. We are so thankful that this is happening.”

Choua’s children are also looking forward to their new home. Yuna cannot wait to decorate her room with lots of Hello Kitty and fairy and LED lights. Vegeta wants to decorate his room with dinosaurs and Sonic the Hedgehog.

“They’re all excited to be able to play in their backyard,” said Choua .