By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Keeping your home sealed up tight is important during various times of the year and in various types of weather, which is why the recent weatherization grants announced by Governor Kay Ivey mean so much to so many residents.
The governor recently announced the $2.9 million dollars in grants, of which $262,544 will go to the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (CARPDC) to distribute to qualified residents in Autauga, Chilton, Dallas, Elmore, Macon, Perry, Russell and Shelby Counties. CARPDC manages the Alabama’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
“The grants originate from the Department of Energy, which also awards the funds to ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs),” said Weatherization Program Manager Donny Barber. “These dollars are used in individual client homes to perform energy efficiency measures such as insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling system upgrades (if applicable and if funding allows), and indoor air quality work along with some health and safety items, such as CO and smoke alarms, gas leak repair, etc.”
Barber said that traditionally there are misconceptions about these grants.
“Historically the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is perceived to be a home repair and/or remodel program granted to the homeowner who then decides how they wish to spend the monies,” he explained. “It is also perceived to be a home appliance replacement program or a window and door replacement program. These funds cannot be used for home repair or remodeling and cannot be used to replace a roof. The goal is to make the home more airtight, thus more energy efficient, and more comfortable for the homeowner while also trying to maintain a healthy indoor air quality and safe environment inside.”
Barber added that at times, there are other types of grants that can assist homeowners with other problems they may have.
“Occasionally CARPDC is the recipient of some home rehab Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which target low-income rural communities and to which we can usually leverage (attach) our WAP monies after most of the rehab work has been completed,” Barber said. “We have also been the recipient of the Housing Preservation Grant in the past which targets single family rural homes for roof replacements, etc. We also have a partnership with the Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund for ‘Weatherization Readiness’ funds that can assist with additional expenses and repairs that go beyond WAP funds.”
Those residents in Autauga and Elmore counties who would like to see if they qualify for the grant, can call CARPDC at 334-262-4300 and ask for Weatherization. They can also go online to www.carpdc.com/Departments/Weatherization and click on the blue buttons just under the banner at the top of the page for the “WAP Application cover letter” and the “WAP Application”. These can then be printed and filled out and once the applicant has collected the necessary supporting documentation, they can mail the documents to CARPDC Weatherization, 430 S. Court St., Montgomery, AL 36104 or hand deliver them from Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
