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Community Series
From the May 2009 issue of Alabama Living magazine
Article by Kay Marshall with information comprised from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), and the Community Action Partnership for North Alabama.
The Weatherization Program, created by Department of Energy during the mid-1970’s to aid with that era’s energy crunch, has been providing comprehensive assistance programs, through local agencies and partners, for thirty years. These programs aid home-owners by providing helpful information for energy efficiency, and conservation measures that can be applied to home weatherization improvements.
The Alabama Weatherization Assistance Program is geared to those who want to caulk their windows, become more energy efficient, or lower their bills but who cannot afford (due to income level) to make these savings adjustments. To help lower-income families afford to make necessary adjustments this fantastic program is run through these local agencies:
- Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc.
Serving our readership areas of Marion and Winston counties.
- Community Service Programs of Alabama
Serving our readership areas of Fayette and Lamar counties.
OK, but what does a Community Action Agency do?
A Community Action Agency is a non-profit organization that serves low-income residents by being committed to helping people and changing lives. They assist these families in learning to utilize all available resources to obtain the skills, knowledge, services and opportunities necessary to become self-sufficient, productive citizens within their community. The Weatherization Program, available to qualified applicants, was created to reduce the energy burden on low-income residents by installing cost-effective energy-efficiency measures, while ensuring the health and safety of the residents. For more information on these agencies please refer to the end of this article for website and contact information (page 7).
In a recent article published by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Bill Johnson, ADECA Director, states that as many as 10,000 households could receive assistance over the next couple of years. Alabama will receive $71.8 million in weatherization funding through the federal economic stimulus bill. The stimulus funding is in addition to annual weatherization appropriation from the U.S. Department of Energy. Last year the Alabama agencies (15 collective) received $2.4 million.
The ADECA article mentions other good news as well. According to Johnson, more Alabamians will now be eligible for assistance under the terms of the stimulus bill.
n Families with earnings that are 200 percent of the federal poverty level or less are now eligible to apply.
So, give me a figure...
OK. Let’s say you are a family of four with $44,000.00 in combined annual income, or one person working with three dependents.
Under the new stimulus bill people who were formerly not eligible are now eligible for this program! Making a little more money will not disqualify many more homeowners.
Mike Todd, Director of the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc., puts it in realistic terms. “A whole lot more people, average working people just like the ones living down your street, can now qualify for this program. We know what this money does in areas of great need, and we take this dollar for dollar stimulus money seriously,” he stated.
Who gets priority?
Priority is given to the elderly, people with disabilities, households with small children, or people with chronically high energy bills.
More good news is that the average amount allocated for each home has been raised from about $3,000 to $6,500.
While ADECA oversees the state program, potential clients apply for assistance through their local community action agencies directing weatherization in their regions. This helps expedite the process and ensures applicants receive proper consideration.
What can we get assistance with?
In addition to insulating, services include weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows; cleaning, testing and repairing heating and cooling systems and vents. One of the top priority issues is to reduce air-infiltration; and other approved energy conservation measures. Another benefit of the program is install carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers to ensure health and safety of the homeowners. [See info below ]
This tremendous opportunity is available to many of our member-owners, so please won’t you take a moment to call and see if you qualify?
How to Apply
If you’re interested in applying for assistance to install, repair or update your home to current energy efficiency standards you must first gather some important information to have on hand.
- You must provide proof of home ownership for manufactured or traditionally constructed homes. This is a critical element. As well, applicants cannot be in a rental home or an apartment.
- You must provide the Social Security Card for all people residing within the household.
- You must provide a current energy bill in the name of the applicant.
- You must sign the application in the presence of an agency staff member.
- You must provide a government issued ID such as a driver’s license or military ID.
Marion & Winston Applicants
Marion-Winston Community Action Agency, in Hamilton, AL
205.921.4224
Contact: J.J. Headrick
jjcaa@sonet.net
www.northalabamacommunities.org/
For more information:
Ron Ford, Energy Team Leader
1.256.260.3116
rford@capna.org
www.capna.org
Lamar & Fayette Applicants
Community Service Programs of West Alabama / Lamar County Office, in
Vernon, AL
1.205.695.9573
Joseph Callahan, County Coordinator
www.cspwal.com
But wait! ...even more good news...
As recently as February 17, 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Stimulus Plan) was signed into law. This Act provides $5 billion, nationally, in additional funding to the Weatherization Program.
Many thanks to Mike Tubbs, Director of the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc., for clarifying and enriching this article.
MORE INFO
Energy Savings Notes
The annual energy savings per home can be considerable for those who make their homes more energy efficient. The list below includes top priority weatherization actions that may be taken on a home that is weatherized.
Top Priority
Measures
• Reducing Air Infiltration
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps
• Attic Insulation
• Sealing and Insulating Ducts
• Wall Insulation
• Floor Insulation
• Programmable Thermostat
• Appliance Replacement
Additionally, these Health & Safety measures may be done:
• Inspect all combustion appliances for gas leaks and carbon monoxide emissions.
• Repair or replace unsafe appliances
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
• Conduct a health and safety assessment of the home and provide information on potential risk(s)
These helpful energy savings notes were provided by ADECA spokesman, Jim Plott
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