The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office has announced a $10 million Home Repair Weatherization Readiness Program aimed at supporting weatherization efforts in Western North Carolina. The funding is designed to supplement the state’s existing Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), focusing on counties that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene and have been identified as “Most Impacted and Distressed” according to the State of North Carolina Action Plan.
Of the total funds, $6 million will be allocated to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, while $4 million will be distributed among several current WAP service providers. These include Blue Ridge Community Action, Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Community Action Opportunities, Four Square Community Action, ICARE Inc., Macon County Government, Mountain Projects Inc., WAMY Community Action, and Yadkin Valley Economic Development District. The program aims to assist more than 575 households.
This initiative is part of North Carolina’s Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 – Part II (SL 2024-53). It provides additional flexibility for addressing home repair needs that have previously prevented some homes from qualifying for weatherization assistance. Many households are placed on deferral lists if their homes require repairs not covered by WAP funding; this new program seeks to address those issues as well as reduce waitlists for weatherization services.
“This new weatherization readiness funding is an important piece of the comprehensive effort to accelerate long-term recovery and strengthen energy resilience in communities hit hard by Helene,” said Reid Wilson, DEQ Secretary. “These projects will drive down home utility bills and ensure safer, healthier and more energy-efficient homes for families who need it most.”
Julie Woosley, SEO Director, added: “For years, some households that have applied and qualified for weatherization assistance still ended up on waitlists because the demand is higher than the funding available, and this readiness funding will help get families in those communities off our weatherization providers’ waitlists. Families may have also been deferred in the past because their home needed a repair that wasn’t covered by weatherization funds. These readiness funds can also be used to make some home repairs so that more homes are moved off the deferral list and eligible for the WAP program. This effort is going to increase western NC’s sound and efficient housing stock, reduce energy costs for the most vulnerable families and individuals, and make homes safer and more comfortable.”
Weatherization improvements such as installing insulation, replacing inefficient HVAC systems, and sealing air leaks can lower household energy use. These upgrades contribute to reduced carbon emissions and lessen strain on the electric grid while improving resilience against extreme weather events.
More information about these programs can be found at deq.nc.gov/state-energy-office or deq.nc.gov/energy-climate/state-energy-office/weatherization-assistance-program. Details about one major recipient organization are available at wpcog.org.
