New windows can cut down on energy costs.
There are federal programs available that sponsor grants to pay for the weatherization of residential homes and housing units in communities across the United States. Weatherizing homes cuts down on the household's energy costs. Grants are used to pay for equipment and materials, home assessments and labor and administrative costs. These weatherization grants are not required to be repaid by the recipients.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program is sponsored by the Department of Energy. Grants from this program are used to weatherize homes that are owned by low income households to make them energy efficient. Some of the weatherization projects funded free of charge by the grant program include insulating walls and attics and replacing windows, roofs and heating systems. The costs of weatherization projects average about $6,500 per home.
Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program
U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW, Mail Stop EE-2K
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
202-586-5000
eere.energy.gov
Housing Preservation Grant Program
Homeowners, co-op managers, landlords and rental property owners can weatherize their homes and housing units with funds from the Housing Preservation Grant Program. Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), this grant program is open to eligible applicants in communities of less than 20,000 residents. State, local and tribal government agencies as well as nonprofit organizations are eligible grant sponsors. Grant recipients must use the funds within a two year period.
Housing and Community Facilities Programs National Office
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Room 5014 South Building
14th Street and Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-9619
rurdev.usda.gov
Public Housing Capital Fund
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors the Public Housing Capital Fund program, which provides grants to public housing authorities (PHAs) to develop and modernize housing units which includes weatherization projects to make them energy efficient. Funds are also used to cover managerial improvements and debt payments. Grants are not eligible to fund luxury improvements to the public housing units. These grants are open only to PHAs.
Jeffrey Riddel
451 7th St. \SW
Room 4130
Washington, District of Columbia 20410
202-708-1640
hud.gov
Tags: housing units, Department Energy, weatherization projects, Assistance Program, Capital Fund, Department Agriculture, energy costs
