Community Action receives $34.5K grant to lower energy costs for low-income residents
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday the awarding of grants totaling $950K to assist low-income and elderly Alabama residents who need help reducing their home’s utility bills –with a portion dedicated to the Community Action agency support Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale counties.
The grants are supporting Alabama’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides funds to improve the energy efficiency and safety of qualifying homes. Priority is given to those with disabilities, the elderly and low-income households with children.
Locally, $34,577 was awarded to the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama.
“Those with limited and fixed incomes, many of whom are elderly and disabled residents, struggle to pay higher utility bills in the hot summer months,” Ivey said. “I am pleased that with these grants we will help permanently lower the energy bills for our most vulnerable residents by making energy-efficiency improvements to their homes, freeing up funds in their budget for other essentials like medication and food.”
An energy audit is conducted of each home that qualifies for weatherization assistance to determine the most cost-efficient measures. Common improvements include installing extra insulation in the attic, walls and floor; sealing air leaks around doors and windows; repairs or tune-ups for air conditioning and heating units; and replacing incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency compact fluorescents. In addition to lowering energy bills, the improvements can reduce the risk of fire and other hazards.
Ivey awarded the grants to 16 community agencies, including the local agency, across the state that manage the program at the local level and receive applications from individuals who wish to be considered for assistance. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Gov. Ivey is committed to helping those who truly need it most throughout the state,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Through the Weatherization Assistance Program and ADECA’s partnerships with our state’s Community Action Agencies, Gov. Ivey is getting aid to as many elderly, disabled and underserved residents as possible during these hot summer months.”
