WEATHERIZATION

Saving Energy, Saves Money!

The Weatherization Program has been designed with homeowners and tenants in mind, providing Energy Conservation Improvements on existing homes. Potential Improvements may include adding additional insulation to the attic, heating ducts, crawl spaces, sidewalls, repairing or replacing the furnace and/or water heater, repairing damaged windows and doors, adding weather stripping, and other draft reduction measures. Weatherization will reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills while keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Contact CAC today to get added to the *Waitlist.

*Weatherization waitlist times can vary throughout the year. We strongly encourage households to apply for Energy Assistance each year to maintain their place on the waitlist. Energy Assistance begins every year on October 1.

Community Action Center is part of the Washington State Low Income Weatherization Network.

Weatherization Assistance

The Weatherization Program offers cost-effective energy efficiency repairs to reduce energy bills and increase home health, safety and durability for qualified homeowners and renters. The Department of Commerce allocates federal and state funds to local agencies who specialize in insulation, air sealing, ventilation, and more to ensure your home stays cozy in the winter and cool in the summer.​

Learn more about weatherization: Weatherization Guide (PDF) | Weatherization Guide – Spanish (PDF).

Does my household qualify for weatherization assistance?

Are you looking for ways to lower your energy bill? Maybe you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint. Whatever your motivation is, we’re here to help. Weatherization is available to Washington state homeowners and renters who make up to 200% of the federal poverty level (200% FPL), 60% of the state median income (60% SMI), or 80% of the area median income (80% AMI).

How to apply for weatherization

CAC serves Whitman County residents. You can call 509-334-9147 and ask to be added to the Waitlist OR apply for Energy Assistance. During the Energy Assistance application process, you can ask to be added to the Weatherization waitlist. Wait time could be up to a year.

Understanding the application process

If your household qualifies for weatherization assistance, a local certified professional will conduct a comprehensive energy audit to identify updates to your home that will lower your utility bills. When your audit is complete, your local weatherization agency will use cost-effective calculations to determine which upgrades will have the biggest impact on the efficiency, health and safety of your home.

Weatherization work

  • Insulation – Ensures your home has a proper thermal boundary, similar to how a blanket retains warmth. ​
  • Weather stripping – Seals the cracks in doors and windows to get rid of the draft. ​
  • Air sealing – Seals major air leaks from the attic, basement and other drafty areas.
  • Ventilation – Gets rid of moisture in the air from the kitchen and bathroom.
  • LED light bulbs – Uses a fraction of the energy with CFL or incandescent bulbs. ​
  • Smoke/carbon monoxide detector – Keeps your home safe from elevated levels of harmful contaminants. ​
  • Hot water and HVAC – Ensures your systems are working properly and efficiently. ​
  • Healthy home education – Learn best practices for maintaining and elevating your home’s health and safety. ​

Please note: Weatherization is not a window replacement program. We cannot guarantee your home will be eligible for specific upgrades.

Weatherization benefits

  • Energy efficiency: Increases home energy efficiency, reducing energy costs.
  • Health and safety: Addresses energy-related hazards, including indoor air quality, combustion safety, carbon monoxide levels, and mold or hazardous materials like asbestos and lead.​
  • Cost savings: Saves homeowners and renters hundreds of dollars every year, freeing up funds for other expenses.​
  • Environmental impact: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and stress on the power grid, making homes resilient to the effects of climate change.​

Who qualifies for a home repair grant?

Grants are available to low-income homeowners who reside in eligible rural areas of Washington state. Interested households must apply and qualify for the program through one of the participating rehabilitation agencies listed below. Priority is given to seniors, disabled residents, families with children under five years old, and veterans.

Who qualifies as a low-income homeowner?

There are three ways to determine income eligibility. You may qualify under any of the following income brackets per household. To qualify, the household’s income must be at or below the following:

  • 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FLP)
  • 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
  • 60% of the State Median Income (SMI)

To determine income eligibility, the annual gross household income includes:

  • Earned income (income from any household member 18 years of age or older).
  • Income from other sources (DSHS, SSI, SSD, VA, unemployment or self-employment).
  • Passive income (investments, stocks, rental properties, rent for tenants not part of the household).

For more information related to income eligibility please contact one of the Commerce-approved agencies listed under the “Who can I contact for program information” section.

What is an eligible rural area location?

To determine if your address qualifies as an eligible residence, please get in touch with any of the approved rehabilitation agencies and ask whether your address qualifies as an eligible rural residence.

What types of home repairs qualify for this program?

  • Eligible repairs include:
    • Improvements to ensure healthy living conditions for the occupants
    • Improvements related to households experiencing disabilities
    • Hazard remediation removal or abatement
  • Repair or replacement of major housing systems:
    • Structural
    • Electrical
    • Plumbing
    • Heating
    • Ventilating
    • Air conditioning
    • Roofing
  • Repair to infrastructure:
    • Septic
    • Sewer
    • Water
    • Foundations

Who can I contact for program information?

You can contact one of the Commerce-approved rehabilitation agencies located throughout the state. Commerce has contracted with several organizations to administer the program and works with licensed contractors to provide home repair services. A Commerce-approved agency can assist you with the application process.

Program documents

Income Eligibility For Low-Income Weatherization   *Effective January 2026
Household  200% FPL   60% SMI 
Size  Maximum Monthly Income   Maximum Annual Income   Maximum Monthly Income   Maximum Annual Income 
1  $            2,660  $          31,920  $            3,622  $          43,465
2  $            3,607  $          43,280  $            4,737  $          56,839
3  $            4,553  $          54,640  $            5,851  $          70,213
4  $            5,500  $          66,000  $            6,966  $          83,587
5  $            6,447  $          77,360  $            8,080  $          96,960
6  $            7,393  $          88,720  $            9,195  $        110,334
7  $            8,340  $        100,080  $            9,403  $        112,842
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The Federal guidance for the Washington State Low-Income Weatherization Program Eligibility Guidelines is 200 percent of federally established poverty guidelines. It is acceptable to consider total household income at or below 200 percent Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or 60 percent State Median Income (SMI), whichever is greater. 

☏ Whitman County Residents can call 509-334-9147 for more info
✉ or email us at cac@cacwhitman.org

Fill out the Home Rehab Grant Application here, then return to the CAC office.

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