Low income Michigan residents could qualify for free home weatherization services through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The agency’s Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity Director Kris Schoenow tells WSJM News federal funds make it possible for the state to provide the whole range of weatherization services. It all starts with an energy efficiency audit of the home.
“If there are other items such as mold or moisture issues, with our pilot funding that we’ve just received, we would take care of those things first,” Schoenow said. “We work with contractors and hire all of that out, and the client would just let us come in and out of their homes for those repairs. After that’s completed, we would do weatherization to finalize their energy savings.”
Schoenow says the weatherization would include eliminating spots where cold air gets in or replacing insulation. Having a weatherized home could save more than $280 per year for the resident. The income eligibility is 200% of the federal poverty level or lower. To get started, just call 211.
