The nation-wide nonprofit Next Step has assisted over 100 families obtain new, energy-efficient manufactured homes, often replacing energy-sucking, deteriorating factory-built homes from pre HUD-Code days. The organization has partnered with industry giant Clayton Homes to open the door to home ownership of Energy Star qualified dwellings, projecting residents will save nearly $4 million on their energy bills, and $12.5 million in interest over the life of the 30-year loans. Founder and CEO of Next Step Stacey Epperson grew up in rural Kentucky where dilapidated manufactured homes (MH) were much the norm, and she decided to do something about it, initially steering people away from buying MH. After hooking up with Clayton, she realized the value of quality, affordable homes for the people she served, according to the Christian Science Monitor. In one case, the utility bills of an elderly woman who received a Next Step home fell so dramatically from her old factory-built home the power company thought she had passed away. MHProNews has learned the homes the organization has provided so far has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 9,000 pounds.