Community Connection of Northeast Oregon receives $438,000 toward home weatherization program

NORTHEAST OREGON – Community Connection of Northeast Oregon recently received $438,013 dollars from the Oregon Health Authority towards its Weatherization Assistance Program. Community Connection is one of 34 organizations, and federally recognized tribes, to receive funding from the OHA toward home repair and improvement projects in the latest grant cycle. In total $23 million dollars were distributed to projects statewide. 

For those unfamiliar, the Weatherization Assistance Program is an energy-efficiency and home improvement program offered by Community Connection to low-income families. Improvements such as repairing/adding missing insulation, air sealing of the home, air sealing of duct systems, repairing or upgrading heating systems, and installation of mechanical ventilation systems are meant to help improve a home’s energy efficiency and save the occupant on energy costs long term. The program is available to renters or owner-occupants of stick built or manufactured homes that meet income requirements. In addition, no Liens are placed on the property. 

Community Connection has been offering the program for several decades, with the most recent grant going toward expanding the scope of work that can be done for a given project. According to project manager Kale Elmer, the project currently receives funding from the U.S. Department of energy, which stipulates that no more than $8,495 dollars may be spent per individual project. With the OHA grant, Community Connection can offer further improvements and complete additional measures during home improvements. 

In addition, the extra funding should allow for quicker completion of projects and shorter waiting time for those that have registered. As explained by Elmer:

“Our clients often wait several years to be served by this program, and we are expecting to get to our waiting clients faster with this increased funding.”

Elmer further explained the importance of the project, namely the improved living conditions and the long-term reduction in energy costs:

“It is rewarding to see the drastic changes in client living conditions after these weatherization measures are completed.  Clients can see a reduction in their heat bills up to 50% or more.” Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Program can visit https://ccno.org/housing-weatherization/ to request an application. The program is available to residents in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Grant counties.  

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