Weatherization

Sustaining independent living and self-sufficiency requires long-term upkeep of safe and secure housing. The Weatherization Assistance Program works to reduce personal utility costs by improving the housing stock of low-income individuals and families. The program provides services to people on fixed-incomes (the elderly and people with disability) and children, living in low-wage households.

Weatherization works to improve the local economy, providing:

• A $1.53 return for every $1 invested;
• Annually improves about 200 local houses, bringing a $476 average first year energy savings per property;
• Reduces cases of local homelessness and demand for public assistance through long-term energy savings;
• Reduces the export of local energy dollars, keeping more household dollars in the community
   

Weatherization strengthens the national economy by:

• Supporting more than 8000 direct jobs nationwide;
• Decreasing the demand for imported oil by 18 million barrels annually;
• Improving air quality and associated health through reduced residential and power-plant emissions.

Weatherization directly benefits low-income households by reducing their energy costs – 16% of their annual expenditures compared to a 5% level for other households – and in the process allows them too stop making the critical choice between winter heat and other necessities. Weatherization, however, does more by making local communities a better and more prosperous place to live.