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Governor Kay Ivey awarded over $3 million in grants to help lower energy costs for low-income residents, giving priority to the elderly, people with disabilities and families with children.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The funds will go toward the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps residents lower their bills by making their homes more energy efficient. This could include anything from assisting with code compliance to installing carbon monoxide detectors. While weatherization assistance aims to lower energy costs, these improvements can also improve overall safety.
The funds have been awarded to 13 community action partners and non-profit agencies throughout the state. With funds from the 2024 fiscal year, 600 homes will be weatherized.
“Energy costs can be overwhelming for low-income Alabama residents, especially during times of extreme heat or cold,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “Recipients of this assistance will be able to upgrade their homes in ways that will lower their bills both now and in the future.”
To qualify for assistance, the household income must be at or below 200 percent of the current poverty guideline. Households applying for weatherizing will be awarded priority points to determine where they need the most. Homes with the highest priority points will be the first to receive services as the funding becomes available.
All household sizes are considered for assistance. Renters must have the landlord’s approval before weatherizing can be provided, but renters living in subsidized housing are not eligible for weatherizing assistance.
After the recipients are determined, an energy audit is conducted in each home that qualifies to choose the most cost-efficient measures. There is no maximum weatherizing benefit or expenditure per household.
