State funds help insulate homes

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. – Indiana’s stimulus-funded home weatherization program is moving forward after a slow start, and it might reach its goal of improving energy efficiency in more than 8,000 homes by June.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority said 1,577 homes statewide have started or completed weatherizations. That’s 18 percent of the 8,661 the agency wants completed by May 30.

“What we have seen in the first 2 1/2 months is nothing like what we will see in the next three months,” said Paul Krievens, the agency’s weatherization program manager.

Households with annual incomes less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level – $33,075 for a family of four – qualify for the program.

To get the work done, the IHCDA distributed stimulus grants totaling $55 million to weatherization programs run by 30 local agencies and organizations across Indiana.

However, it was delayed about three months in distributing the funds because the federal government questioned several parts of Indiana’s plan, including its intent to spend up to $5,000 per home rather than the $6,500 limit Congress set.

Those who have already gone through the program are noticing the difference.

Giselle Jackson, 50, of East Chicago, had her home weatherized through the Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp. She counts on saving about 50 percent on winter energy bills, which can run $500 to $600 per month, after contractors installed a new furnace, caulked all of her windows and doors and added insulation.

“My mother was saying they have an electric heater in their room, and they had to turn it off because it’s too warm in there,” she said.

Owner Mike Young of Indiana Spray Foam, which worked on Jackson’s home, said he hired five more workers to keep up with the increased work from the weatherization projects.

“It’s helped us out,” Young said.

The Community Action agency has completed work on 81 homes, and 110 more are ready for work. They represent more than a third of the 555 homes the agency plans to complete by May using $3.4 million in stimulus funds.

The Indiana Builders Association won the IHCDA’s largest single grant of $20.7 million to weatherize homes in more than 35 counties. CEO Rick Wajda said the association hopes to do 3,000 homes by May.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” Wajda said.