Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) today announced that the United States Department of Energy has awarded a continuation grant to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) for their Weatherization Assistance Program in the amount of $2,518,837.

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides funding for income-eligible single or multi-family households in the state of Kansas to make home improvements that increase energy efficiency. Households with earnings no greater than 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income are eligible for the program. It is primarily aimed at helping the elderly, disabled and families with children.

According to Al Dorsey, the Director of Housing and Supportive Services for KHRC, “The Department of Energy award allows the weatherization program to serve additional consumers who face ever-increasing energy costs. The household energy savings result in the consumer having additional money for food and medication.”

This funding is a continuation of a previous grant that has helped numerous Kansas families make their homes more energy efficient, reducing their heating bills by an average of 21%. In 2006, the grant provided funds for the weatherization of 1,726 Kansas homes and the replacement of 453 unsafe furnaces.

Congresswoman Boyda said, “In today's difficult economic times, as the cost of heating a home continues to skyrocket, the Weatherization Assistance Program is more important than ever. I'm very pleased to announce its continuation this year.”