Free Weatherization Program Available to Low-Income Families

It might seem like we will never see cooler weather, but the cold winter months are just around the corner and now is a good time to make sure your home is protected from drafts.

The Ninth District Opportunity has a program for low-income households that will help pay for some repairs to make sure your keep as much of heat inside this winter.

It’s their Weatherization program.

Under the program, qualifying households can receive assistance in making their homes more energy efficient through conservation measures and minor home repairs.

Michael Fisher is the Housing/Program Planner for the Ninth District.

Fisher says this is a great program few people know about.

“What we’ll do is we’ll send a team to your home and they will come in and do an audit on the house,” Fisher explained. “They will do a blow test where they test for air leaks. They will seal the house to reduce any air leaks they find. They will put in extra insulation, if necessary. They will replace light bulbs with LED bulbs, and we’ll also install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors if needed and we will install weather stripping and caulk.”

Each household receiving assistance through the Weatherization program also receives energy conservation counseling.

Fisher said the weatherization program can help households save up to 18% on their heating consumption and 7% on their heating consumption.

Paula Duley is the Ninth District Opportunity Community Resource Coordinator for Toccoa-Stephens County.

Duley says the income requirements for the weatherization program are higher than for the home heating assistance program.

“For a household of one, you can make $24,280 gross. For a household of two you can make $32,920,” Duley explained. “So that will let a lot of the seniors qualify for that very easily. They may call any time of the year and we will schedule an appointment for them. They do need to bring the same documents as they do for the energy assistance program.”

And as you heard, the weatherization program is open all year round.

To make an appointment or get more information, you can contact Duley at: 706-886-0211.