Congressman Barney Frank Has High Praise for the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. Weatherization Assistance Program
Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, visited with the CFC Weatherization staff at 427 Robeson Street to speak about the additional funding the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) will receive through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(ARRA).
Congressman Frank paid tribute to a program that has been weatherizing homes and apartments in the Fall River, Taunton, and New Bedford areas for more than thirty years. “Nearly 17,000 homes in the CFC service area have received new insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving improvements since the program began.” The ARRA will provide an additional 5 billion dollars nationally for the WAP and will increase CFC’s Weatherization Program budget by more than $8,500,000.
Income guidelines for the Weatherization Assistance Program have increased allowing more families to benefit from the program. A family of four can now earn up to $53,608 in gross income and be eligible for weatherization services. The average that can be expended for materials and labor has increased as well to $5,500 from $2,500.
Madeleine Cormier, CFC Weatherization Director, noted that home weatherization programs have wide-ranging benefits, from reduced energy usage, reduction of foreign oil imports, increased home values and the creation of “green” jobs. Cormier also said, “Each home receives a site-specific energy audit to determine the best measures to reduce energy consumption in that particular home.” Typically, weather-stripping, attic and wall insulation and air-sealing measures are performed. During the energy audit, air quality tests are taken to determine if excessive carbon monoxide or any natural gas leaks are present. Heating systems are evaluated to confirm their operating efficiency. All of the measures can result in a total reduction of the energy consumed by as much as 35%.
Ms. Cormier further explained, “Weatherization is available to all income-eligible households, owners and renters alike. Property owners of eligible rental units must agree to freeze the rent for a period of one year from the date of completion in exchange for the work performed on their property.
Low-income households typically spend 25% of their total annual income for energy needs, compared with 3.5% for other households. Weatherization measures provide long-term relief for low-income families protecting them from fluctuations in energy prices and supplies.”
Anyone interested in applying for Weatherization can call 508-675-2157 extension 231, 232 or 287
