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 Weatherization
The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (LIWAP) is the US Department of Energy’s core program for reducing energy costs in the winter and summer for low-income families through increased home energy efficiency, while simultaneously ensuring their health and safety. Weatherization auditors use a computerized energy audit to determine which energy efficiency measures are most appropriate and cost effective for each home. Additional funds have been made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Transform Missouri Initiative and administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources . Income eligibility for this program has been increased to 200% of poverty in order to serve a larger population. The current wait list is over 500 homes.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
WCM CAA is so pleased to receive these additional ARRA funds to provide Weatherization Assistance for an additional 40 homes per month. Although the 2009 ARRA Weatherization Assistance Program got off to a slow start, as it did in all States, WCMCAA is now on schedule to weatherize 908 houses / mobile homes by the end of the ARRA funding on March 31, 2012. To increase capacity from weatherizing 5 or 6 homes per month / 60 or 70 per year to 40 homes per month, WCMCAA first addressed challenges of hiring and training new workers, maintaining quality work and procuring vehicles, equipment and tools. More challenging were delays caused by confusion across the country over wage standards mandated by the Davis-Bacon Act (prevailing wage) and in the State of Missouri regarding the requirement that any dwellings older than 50 years be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) before weatherization could begin. The income guidelines were increased to allow additional families that were facing economical situations an opportunity to apply for weatherization. The first three houses were weatherized in September 2009.
The average program operations cost is $6500 per house. At the end of July there have been 319 homes weatherized. This program is FREE to the income eligible applicant. Weatherization makes your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, and continues to save you energy every year. The goal of the program is to install energy saving measures (caulking, weatherstripping, insulation, etc) as well as check combustible appliances such as the heating system, hot water heater and cook stove for health and safety issues.
WCMCAA and the Weatherization contractors have created twenty two (22) new jobs since receiving the ARRA Weatherization Program. The Agency has staff that is BPI Certified Energy Auditors, OSHA 10 certified, Certified Lead Renovator’s, and State Approved HVAC Propane Gas Association. The ARRA funds are made possible through Transform Missouri Initiative, Department of Energy and administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources/Division of Energy.
Families or individuals may apply for Weatherization Assistance at their county Outreach Center (listed at right)
or call 1/800-493-3664.
 ARRA funds are received from the U.S. Department of Health Human Service (HHS) provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. The funds received from the Family Support Division are all federally funded. Funds are also made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Transform Missouri initiative and administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Community Partnerships Make Weatherization Dollars Go Further!
WCMCAA collaborates with local utility companies to provide additional weatherization assistance for their low-income customers. The funds result from Department of Natural Resources Energy Center involvement in the utility company rate case. These leveraged dollars provided by the local utility company are then coordinated with Department of Energy weatherization funds to expand the impact for each utility customers home and further decrease utility cost. Individual contracts are currently held with: Empire District Gas, Empire District Electric, Kansas City Power and Light, Atmos, AmerenUE Gas, AmerenUE Electric.
Rural Electric Cooperatives Partnership
Through a contract with the Associated Electric Cooperative Inc, the WCMCAA Energy Conservation Unit conducts energy audits as authorized by the rural electric cooperatives. The audits are performed by qualified agency staff who use the computerized National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) for site-built single family houses and the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA) for mobile homes. These audits were developed for the Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program by the Oakridge National Laboratory. Upon completion of the audit each utility customer is given a report explaining energy conservation measures that, if installed in their homes, will reduce their fuel usage. As incentives, local cooperatives offer rebates for customers who implement energy conservation measures. This partnership includes the following cooperatives in our service area: Barton County, Osage Valley, SAC Osage, Southwest, Central Missouri, and CO-MO. In the past year, 30 energy audits have been completed with this project.
Housing Preservation Grant funded by USDA Rural Development
The Housing Preservation Grant is available to provide funds to eligible applicants to conduct housing repair for the benefit of very low-income rural residents to:
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Repair or replacement of plumbing fixtures.
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Energy conservation measures
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Repair or replacement of heating systems
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Repair or replacement of hot water heaters
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Electrical wiring
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Repair of or provision for, structural supports and foundations.
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Repair or replacement of roof
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Repair or replacement of severely deteriorated siding, porches or stoops
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Alterations needed to provide greater accessibility for the physically challenged.
Housing Trust Fund Home Repair
The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) administers the Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF) Program, which was created to positively affect the quality of life for very low-income families. The source of funds is a $3 recording fee on real estate documents recorded in the State of Missouri. WCMCAA coordinates with the Weatherization Assistance Program to make the maximum tangible improvements for very low-income families in the nine county service area. These funds are used to perform minor home repairs which include, but not limited to, the following: repair/ replacement of heating systems, repair / replacement of faulty wiring and accessibility specific repairs / installations.
HeRO
The Home Repair Opportunity (HeRO) Program, administered by Missouri Housing Development Commission, provides funding to meet the growing need for home repair for low and moderate income homeowners. Only specific types of work are eligible for funding under the HeRO program. These include: Rehabilitation, weatherization, lead risk reduction and accessibility improvements.
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Weatherization Produces Important Benefits
for People and Communities!
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Creates GREEN JOBS for energy professionals, private contractors, and suppliers of energy conservation materials and equipment.
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Educates consumers about energy efficiency practices.
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Saves an average household 21% of their energy bill.
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Alleviates the heavy energy burden on the low-income household and helps them become self-sufficient.
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Weatherization is a cost-effective investment of taxpayer dollars. For every $1 invested in the Program, Weatherization returns $3 in multiplier benefits.
Weatherization decreases the amount of personal income spent on home energy, thus makes housing more affordable, reduces cases of homelessness, lowers the demand for public assistance, keeps more money in local communities and lessons dependence on foreign oil.
To apply for any of the services available through the Energy Conservation Unit, please contact your local WCMCAA Outreach Center.
These offices can put you in contact with
other WCMCAA and Community Services.
BATES COUNTY
5 East Dakota
Butler, Missouri 64730
(660) 679-4108
Fax: (660) 679-0765
BENTON COUNTY
110 Tower Drive, Sutie A
Warsaw, Missouri 65355
(660) 438-5158 (660) 438-5159
Fax: (660) 438-4471
CASS COUNTY
109 Congress
PO Box 859
Belton, Missouri 64012
(816) 322-0502 (816) 322-0291
Fax: (816) 322-9017
200 North Oakland
PO Box 95
Harrisonville, Missouri 64701
(816) 380-5375 (816) 380-5377
Fax: (816) 380-5275
CEDAR COUNTY
121 W Spring
El Dorado Spring, MO 65785
(417) 667-5741
HENRY COUNTY
1661 North 2ndStreet
PO Box 99
Clinton, Missouri 64735
(660) 885-5508
(660) 885-3359
Fax: (660) 885-8977
HICKORY COUNTY
320 N Main
Wheatland, Missouri 65779
(417) 282-5936
Fax: (417) 282-6966
MORGAN COUNTY
500 N HWY 5
Versailles, Missouri 65084
(573) 378-4432
Fax: (573) 378-7188
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
106 West 4th Street
Appleton City, Missouri 64724
(660) 476-2185
Fax (660) 476-5529
VERNON COUNTY
1801 North Osage, Suite A
Nevada, Missouri 64772
(417) 667-5741
(417) 667-5779
Fax: (417) 667-6393
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