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
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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.