Recovery.Arkansas.gov

LITTLE ROCK - Since July 1, 2009, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has improved more than 100 homes of Arkansans with low and moderate income using funds received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

WAP is nearing its full production capabilities, which will allow the program to help even more households, according to Larry Palmer, acting state weatherization manager and the state weatherization trainer in the Office of Community Services (OCS).

"The ARRA, or stimulus, funds are a much needed gift that we've been hoping for for years," said Palmer. "Weatherization is a program of proven efficiency and effectiveness that brings measurable improvements to homes, and now we can help many more."

WAP was established nationally in 1976 to help people of low income have more energy-efficient, safe and healthy homes. It is funded by the federal Department of Energy (DOE), and it's administered in Arkansas by OCS, part of the Division of County Operations in the Department of Human Services. The program is operated primarily by the private, nonprofit community action agencies as part of their mission to help people of low income gain the basic necessities and advance toward economic self-sufficiency.

Computerized energy audits and advanced diagnostic technology are used to make a range of improvements, enabling households to conserve energy and save income that can be used for other basic needs, including food and medicine. These services are free of charge for eligible families. Clients have testified that the work helps significantly reduce consumption, allowing them to spend less on their energy needs.

According to a DOE fact sheet, weatherization "saves an average of 30.5 million British Thermal Units of energy per household, which equates to a 23 percent reduction in primary heating fuel use," and "an average of 32 percent in gas space heating." These enhancements have improved more than 6.2 million homes throughout the U.S. and allowed families to "save an average of $350 in reduced first-year energy costs, at current prices."

WAP has infused $100 million into communities throughout Arkansas to improve approximately 70,000 homes. It has an annual budget of roughly $3.5 million, which enables it to improve more than 1,000 homes a year. The $48 million provided by ARRA will allow WAP to improve an additional 5,578 homes over the next three years.

Programs funded by the ARRA represent your tax dollars at work. To learn more about where your money is being spent, what programs will be affected in your community, and the application requirements, go to http://recovery.arkansas.gov.

For more information on WAP, please go to http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/dco/ocs/index.htm or contact Thomas Green at (501) 682-8715 or Thomas.Green@arkansas.gov. Contact Larry Palmer at (501) 682-8725 for eligibility information. For more information about the national scope of WAP, please contact Contracting Officer Eric T. Bell at (412) 386-5802.