Weatherization Assistance Program

Department & Agency:

Department of Energy

http://www.energy.gov/recovery/

Administering Agency:

Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/wip/

Agency Contact:

For DOE contacts within your region, see http://www.waptac.org/sp.asp?mc=what_state

Stimulus Funding:

$5,000,000,000

Eligibility and Type:

State, Tribal and Local Governments

Program Description:

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. During the last 30 years, the WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 5.6 million low-income families. By reducing the energy bills of low-income families instead of offering aid, weatherization reduces dependency and liberates these funds for spending on more pressing family issues. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by $358 per year at current prices. This spending, in turn, spurs low-income communities toward job growth and economic development.
General program information at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/

Analysis: At this time only two Tribes and one intertribal organization are direct grantees under WAP -- Navajo Nation, Northern Arapahoe, and the Intertribal Council of Arizona. A number of Tribes are subgrantees (or local agencies) to the state. The number of Tribal grantees has varied over the years. Several states (particularly Washington and Oregon) have reached out to Tribes to assist in the coordination of WAP work between the Tribes and local agencies. Several of these Tribes may become subgrantees or local agency providers.

The statutes specify that to receive a direct allocation, the Tribe would need to justify that they are currently not being served by the State, justify the amount of eligible members, and have the ability to administer a Wx program. How a tribe engages in Wx is generally a collaborative one between the Tribe, State, and DOE, and depends on many factors, including size of low-income population, availability of skilled labor, ability to manage a weatherization program and the ability to leverage with similar housing programs.

In past years, Weatherization funds have been limited, and combined with existing criteria, Tribes have been eligible for and/or receive small allocations, which are not enough to justify running the program. Thus, many Tribes have opted to receive services from local WAP agencies. DOE is considering how to increase tribal government and tribal member involvement in the program. In light of the Stimulus funding, there will be an enormous need to expand DOE's current network, through, among other things, increased staffing, and possibly increasing the number of grantees and subgrantees. Solutions to increase tribal government involvement, especially the receipt of direct allocations, could include providing Tribes with technical and program management training, and funding to help the Tribes develop organizations and/or integrate the program within the Tribal Housing Authorities.

Funding Notices:

Specific notices regarding funding under the Stimulus for the program are not available at this time.

Technical Assistance:

Go to the Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center at
http://www.waptac.org/