Bayh Announces $53 Million for Home Weatherization Assistance in Indiana

Federal funding will create contractor jobs, lower energy consumption in older homes

Washington, DC - July 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Indiana has been awarded nearly $53 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to expand weatherization assistance programs for low- and moderate-income Hoosiers. The funding, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help lower energy costs for low- and moderate-income families, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create green jobs across the country.

With these funds, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will begin to weatherize more than 19,700 homes across the state over the next three years. The DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program saves families hundreds of dollars per year on overall energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient, including average savings of 32 percent for heating bills, according to DOE.

“Thousands of Hoosier families are eligible for weatherization improvements to their homes, which will help lower their energy bills and save money,” Bayh said. “In this tough economic climate, every dollar counts, and this program will provide meaningful savings for families living on a budget. Weatherization also creates job opportunities for those who work in home repair and contracting, so this program will help put Hoosiers to work.”

Part of the DOE funding will be used to expand weatherization training and technical assistance programs through partnerships with the Indiana Vocational/Technical College, the Indiana Community Action Association, Inc., and the Environmental Management Institute. The IHCDA and its partners will ensure that Indiana has a well-trained workforce to carry out home energy audits and weatherization procedures.

If Indiana demonstrates successful implementation of this weatherization plan, the state will be eligible to receive almost $66 million in additional funding, for a total of nearly $132 million, according to the DOE.

Indiana also has been awarded an additional $27.4 million in DOE funds to support a statewide energy program that will focus on reducing energy consumption, creating middle-class jobs, increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

If the state demonstrates successful implementation of this energy plan, Indiana will receive an additional $34 million in additional funding, according to DOE

Tagged as: DOE, HUD

 

 

 

 

USGBC - U.S. Green Building Council

HUD - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

NAR - National Association of REALTOR

RealtyTrac

FHFA - Federal Housing Finance Agency

Freddie Mac

MBA - Mortgage Bankers Association