MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WTVY) – An agency helping the residents of Wiregrass was one of several in Alabama to receive a grant from Governor Kay Ivey.
Announced in a Monday press release from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the $494,875 awarded will help needy residents weather their homes to help lower energy costs in the state.
The grants support the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program and provide funds made available by the United States Department of Energy to improve the energy efficiency and safety of eligible homes. Priority for help is given to those who need it most, including people with disabilities, the elderly and low-income households and children.
Among the 13 community agencies to receive the grant is the Troy-based Organized Community Action Program Inc., which received $46,316 to support their coverage in Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry , Houston, Lowndes and Pike counties.
“Amid the hot summer months in Alabama, the elderly, the disabled, and low-income residents with fixed incomes may struggle to pay the utility bills to keep their homes cool and comfortable,” Governor Ivey said. “These grants will help lower energy bills for those eligible for assistance by updating their homes to keep them cooler in the summer.”
Any home eligible for assistance may undergo home improvements such as installing additional insulation, sealing air leaks, repairs or modifications to air conditioning and heating units, and replacing incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency lamps. In addition to reducing energy bills, the improvements can reduce the risk of fire and other hazards.
“ADECA joins Governor Ivey in supporting those who need it most through the Weatherization Assistance Program,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “The partnerships with these community agencies ensure that many disadvantaged residents receive help preparing their homes to stay cooler during the hottest part of the year now and in the future.”
The full list of 13 agencies that will receive the funding awarded, and the numbers you can call for more information about applying for assistance, includes:
• $43,971 to Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (Autauga, Chilton, Dallas, Elmore, Macon, Perry, Russell, and Shelby) 334-262-4300
• $11,037 to Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-Tallapoosa-Coosa (Chambers, Coosa and Tallapoosa) 256-825-4287
• $20,948 to Alabama Council on Human Relations Inc. (Lee) 334-821-8336
• $34,828 in Huntsville-Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. Community Action Partnership. (Madison and Limestone) 256-851-9800
• $52,006 to Mobile Community Action Inc. (Choctaw, Mobile and Washington) 251-457-5700
• $30,569 to Montgomery County Commission (provide the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission) (Montgomery) 334-832-1210
• $35,954 to North Alabama Inc. Community Action Partnership. (Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, Walker and Winston) 256-355-7843
• $106,785 to Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, and St. Clair) 256-638-4430
• $19,443 to Northwest Alabama Inc. Community Action Agency. (Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale) 256-766-4330
• $46,316 to Organized Community Action Program Inc. (Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, and Pike) 334-566-1712
• $31,518 to South Alabama Community Action Agency (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe, and Wilcox) 251-626-2646
• $26,769 to Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun and Cleburne Community Action Agency (Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph and Talladega) 256-362-6611
• $34,731 for community service programs from West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa) 205-752-5429
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