$600,000 Grant Boosts Weatherization Program

WNIN | By Tim Jagielo

Published November 1, 2023 at 11:55 AM CDT

Visitors to the CenterPoint Energy block party Monday, October 30 speak with vendors who can offer wraparound services, ad also some swag. CenterPoint Energy threw the party to announce the enhancement of their income-qualified weatherization program, whicgh now includes home repairs — Visitors to the CenterPoint Energy block party Monday, October 30 speak with vendors who can offer wraparound services, and also some swag. CenterPoint Energy threw the party to announce the enhancement of their income-qualified weatherization program, which now includes home repairs, funded by a $600,000 ARPA grant.

Qualifying Evansville residents can apply for free efficiency improvements; new grant covers home repairs needed prior to these improvements

It’s a neighborhood party at Tepe Park, thrown by CenterPoint Energy to announce a new grant program for city residents.

A $600 thousand dollar grant will enhance the current CenterPoint Energy weatherization program, which improves the efficiency of Evansville homes by adding weather stripping, duct sealing and duct cleaning.

This income-qualified neighborhood weatherization program is now supported with an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant awarded to non-profit JD Sheth Foundation.

The issue in this city is all the old drafty windows, a lack of insulation — something a pair of teens playing corn hole could laugh about.

Keiauntay (left) and Jadarion, both 16, ,play cornhole at the block party on Monday. They could relate to the challenge of old homes with poor insulation, with a cold first floor and overheated second floor.

“(It’s) Freezing downstairs, like ‘Oh, I feel like I'm getting cold chills like frostbite on my toes and stuff,’” said Keiauntay, 16. “…walk upstairs we sweating bullets gotta remove layers,” laughed Jadrion, 16, finishing his friend’s thought.

There were several lawn games to play, along with food and booths for other service organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

But back to that $600,000 grant — it will pay for repairs needed prior to extra winterization. Things like roof and HVAC repairs can be a barrier to a more efficient home, said Justin Forshey, director of energy solutions and business development at CenterPoint Energy.

“Unfortunately, some customers are put on a deferral list, because we are unable to do our weatherization services, as these customers have other home repairs that need to be taken care of before we can weatherize their homes,” he said.

Such repairs include furnace maintenance, roof repair and even pest control for a healthier environment.

Once those repairs are complete, weather striping, duct cleaning and duct sealing can happen — along with receiving expert advice on how to make an energy efficient home.

Forshey isn’t sure how many residents this grant will help, but it is for City of Evansville homes only.

To see if you qualify, follow this link.

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