Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program

Home heating is a high-cost basic necessity. For people with low incomes, the decision to pay the utility bill may mean deciding between being warm in the winter or having well-balanced meals. Other low-income people live in older homes that may not have insulation or efficient heating systems. Weatherization is a long-term response to these problems.

A home that has been weatherized can reduce average annual fuel consumption per dwelling by up to 13.5 percent, with electricity at 12.2 percent and natural gas at 23.4 percent, making it a cost-effective means to help low-income families with their energy bills.  Lasting energy-efficient improvements are installed in the home, resulting in lower utility bills year after year.  This reduces the amount of assistance needed to pay higher utility bills in low-income households.

LIWAP History

In 1977, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources responded to the energy crisis of the early 1970s, establishing the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWAP) in the Energy Center. The program provided Missouri's low-income households, especially targeting the physically disadvantaged, elderly, children and others hit hardest by the energy crisis.  The program aims to lower utility bills and improve comfort while ensuring health and safety.

In the early years, LIWAP used volunteer labor and temporary measures. However, changes in federal regulations, technology, and the needs of Missourians have changed the program. Today, professional trained staff install permanent, cost-effective energy efficient weatherization improvements.

LIWAP Program

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center administers federal funds to
16 regional Community Action Agencies, one city government and one not-for-profit organization. Allocations to these agencies are based on the percentage of the state's total low-income households within each service area.

Since 1977, more than 147,000 Missouri homes have been weatherized, with more than 2,000 homes to be weatherized this year.

The agencies provide weatherization services to eligible clients, as well as training and guidance. Newspaper, radio, television, utility bill stuffers and other advertising methods are used to publicize the services.

The program saves clients dollars and stimulates the state and local economy. The agencies use their own crews or contract the work to area businesses. Most products are purchased from state and regional manufacturers. Indirectly, through an economic multiplier effect, weatherization funds are used and reused, stimulating the state's businesses, economy and creating jobs.

Annual Hearings on State Weatherization Application Set for
April 2 and April 4, 2008

Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center will hold two public hearings on the statewide Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program annual application. The public hearings will be held in Columbia and Springfield this year.

The Weatherization annual application is available to review below. After the hearings the department will finalize the application and submit it to the U.S Department of Energy. The program funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and are administered by the Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center.

Please address written comments on the plan to Joe Gassner, Department of Natural Resources, Energy Center, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Written comments must be postmarked no later than April 4, 2008.

Application Documents

PDF documents linked above are the DRAFT PY08 Weatherization Annual and Master files. Funding amounts and the number of units found in the Annual File are in DRAFT form, and tentative at this time. The allocations listed in the Annual File are based on new DOE funding and program carryover that was redistributed to subgrantees. At the time of this DRAFT plan, the subgrantees are being asked to estimate their PY-2007 carryover which will be included with the subgrantee's PY-2008 grant award. The Energy Center believes this will facilitate more accurate financial planning and allow agencies to have immediate access to carryover funds.

Weatherization Program Facts

Since the program began in 1978, weatherization funds have helped to weatherize more than 150,000 Missouri homes. The program supports energy-efficient housing, long-term reduction in utility bills and the comfort and safety of those served. The elderly, physically disadvantaged and families with children are program priorities.

The weatherization program puts money into counties and local communities to support local jobs for people. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every $1 million invested. For Missouri, the program supports 450 jobs annually.

Primary funding for Missouri's weatherization efforts comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program. These funds are administered by the department's Energy Center according to LIWAP guidelines. Through agreements made with the Energy Center in rate adjustment cases and other regulatory matters, further funding is also provided by the following companies to weatherize additional homes in their service areas:

How to Apply for Assistance

To apply for assistance, clients should contact their local weatherization agency. The agency will ask the clients to complete the appropriate forms, including income documentation to verify eligibility. Once the client is verified as eligible, an auditor from the agency will conduct a pre-inspection of the home to determine what steps will produce the greatest energy savings. The next step is for the agency crew or contractor to install the energy efficient measures on the home. After the weatherization of the home is complete, a quality control inspector will examine the home to ensure the quality of work and completeness. The Energy Center monitors the work of the agencies to ensure state and federal guidelines are followed.

Missouri Weatherization Program Operational Manual

Weatherization Network Training

Weatherization Field Guide for Missouri

Weatherization Factsheets

DOE Federal Regulations, Program Guidance and Legislative Updates