Tripling the Number of Weatherized Homes
DCEO and its partners are targeting homes with the highest energy bills and the lowest incomes with more than $97 million in ARRA funds coming through DCEO’s Office of Energy Assistance this fiscal year. Over a two-year period, a total of $242 million will be spent to help Illinois families.
 

DCEO and its partners are targeting homes with the highest energy bills and the lowest incomes with more than $97 million in ARRA funds coming through DCEO’s Office of Energy Assistance this fiscal year. Over a two-year period, a total of $242 million will be spent to help Illinois families.DCEO and its partners are targeting homes with the highest energy bills and the lowest incomes with more than $97 million in ARRA funds coming through DCEO’s Office of Energy Assistance this fiscal year. Over a two-year period, a total of $242 million will be spent to help Illinois families.

Thanks to the influx, the state’s network of Community Action Agencies is expected to weatherize 22,000 homes before July 2010, more than tripling the 7,000 homes weatherized last year. In addition to providing a long-term cost savings to families, weatherization efforts actually create healthier homes, sometimes even life-saving.

 

Eligible families must earn no more than 200% of the federal poverty level so the limits are $21,660 for an individual, $29,140 for a couple, $36,620 for a family of three and $44,100 for a family of four.

First comes a free energy audit which will determine which services are performed at no charge, such as air sealing, attic and wall insulation, furnace repairs or replacements, electric base load reduction (lighting and refrigeration) and window and door work. In Chicago, the Community and Economic Development Association has been conducting Energy Audits.