Recently Congress approved and President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. By meeting critical needs in our communities, the measure will help create jobs in the short term and provide a solid foundation for long term economic growth in Southwest Virginia. One provision in the economic recovery measure provides $5 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides assistance to families in reducing energy costs.

Heating and cooling uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other home system.  Yet, a large portion of that energy is wasted due to correctable problems in the home, and often a few simple steps can help reduce home energy costs. Low-income households currently spend 17 percent of their total annual income on energy costs, compared with 4 percent for other households.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides assistance to low and moderate income families, seniors and individuals with disabilities to reduce heating and cooling costs and to ensure their health and safety. The Weatherization Assistance Program provides direct installation of energy saving measures such as sealing air-leaks with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, repairing leaky duct systems, repairing and replacing inefficient or unsafe heating systems, and installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

The weatherization measures installed by the program provide relief for low-income families facing rising energy costs. The program saves the household an average of 21 percent on their energy bill, which equates to approximately $413 each year. For every $1 invested in weatherization assistance, there is a return of $1.65 in energy related benefits. The program reduces the national energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels of oil each year. State and local agencies leverage the U.S. Department of Energy funding with other federal, state, utility, and private resources to weatherize more low-income homes and to deliver more services. Every $1 million of program funding supports 52 direct jobs and additional jobs are created for subcontractors and material suppliers.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expanded the Weatherization Assistance Program significantly. The measure increased the threshold for qualifying households from those at 150 percent of the poverty level to 200 percent of the poverty level. Additionally, the measure increases the amount available per dwelling from $2,500 to $6,500.

In Virginia, the Weatherization Assistance Program is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information, visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/HousingPreservationRehabilitation/Weatherization_Assistance.htm.

To apply, you may contact one of the following providers:

• For Giles, Pulaski, Montgomery and Floyd Counties and the City of Radford, contact Community Housing Partners at 540-382-5327.
• For Lee, Scott, Wise and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton, contact the Rural Areas Development Association at 276-386-6441.
• For Washington and Buchanan Counties and the City of Bristol, contact People Incorporated at 276-623-9000.
• For Russell and Tazewell Counties, contact Clinch Valley Community Action at 276-988-5583.
• For Smyth, Bland and Wythe Counties, contact Mountain Community Action Program at 276-783-7337.
• For Grayson and Carroll Counties and the City of Galax, contact Rooftop of Virginia at 276-236-7131.
• For Alleghany, Craig and Roanoke Counties, contact Total Action Against Poverty at 540-345-6781.
• For Patrick County contact Support to Eliminate Poverty at 540-483-5142.
• For Henry County, contact Pittsylvania County Community Action at 434-432-9380.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at the New River Voice.