The County routinely receives funds from the California Department of Community Services and Development to manage a Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance program. Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 24 years wherein the county provides energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to county residents who are income-eligible to receive said services. The funding source is federal funding from the Department of Energy passed through by the California Department of Community Services and Development. The county receives the money via the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD); EHSD, in turn, partners with the County's Department of Conservation and Development to provide direct services to clients through energy saving home improvements. The energy saving measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, florescent light bulbs, 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 carbon monoxide alarms. The program uses income-based eligibility as per the federal poverty guidelines for that program year. Once eligibility is determined, clients with no hot water, no heat, or are in danger of having their power shut off are served as emergencies. Services are then based on clients with the lowest income, highest energy burden, and those with one household member who is considered in the vulnerable population.  
  
This board order is to accept funding for the 2020-2021 program year.

If not approved, the Department will not receive funding to operate a weatherization assistance program in Contra Costa County.