The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) has partnered with the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) for the past 20 years to provide energy-saving home improvements to low income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s 19 cities. This funding is provided by State and federal grant programs including, but not limited to, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Cap and Trade Auction Funds for the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
With these grants, the Weatherization Program may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs, LED night lights, Tier 2 Advanced power strips, occupancy sensors, weather-stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation.
Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.
Many contracts with current Weatherization Program vendors providing services are expiring July 31, 2018. The most recent amendments were approved by the Board on August 1, 2017.
Under its grant funding contract, the Weatherization Program is required to meet minimum unit production goals (number of homes weatherized) by the end of its annual grant contract term. Failure to maintain the required production goals may result in the State reallocating our share of funding to other Counties and could jeopardize our future funding. These contracts will allow the Weatherization Program to have ready access to water heaters and other necessary supplies and equipment to weatherize homes and meet production goals.
A denial would prevent DCD Weatherization Program from replacing or repairing of water heaters.
Approval of this item will enable the Weatherization Program to purchase materials necessary to provide home energy efficiency improvements to low-income households, which reduces living expenses and improves comfort and quality of life for children residing in the households served. This supports outcomes Nos. 3 and 5 established in the Children's Report Card: (3) Families are economically self-sufficient; and (5) Families are safe, stable and nurturing.