Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation (E & I) Grant

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released an estimated $36 million in competitive funding for “weatherization ready” homes called the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation (E & I) Grant. The new program targets low-income households to make improvements that must be completed before traditional weatherization activities (like adding insulation) take place. Common deferral reasons include high-cost roof repairs, electrical upgrades, plumbing repairs, remediation of environmental hazards beyond the scope of WAP (including asbestos and vermiculite), and other major structural home repairs.

The program will help people reduce their total residential energy expenditures, and improve their health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, the disabled, families with children, high residential energy users and households with a high energy burden. Applicants must enter the location of the proposed improvements into the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) to identify disadvantaged communities and list them in the Locations of Work spreadsheet as part of their application.

In addition to home improvements, the grant is designed to bolster innovative methods for promoting weatherization such as identifying, marketing, confirming eligibility, and coordinating with prospective property owners to bring more multifamily buildings into the weatherization pipeline; and protocols for identifying and preparing homes to become all-electric or electrification-ready, while also ensuring reduction in household energy burden. Another goal is to empower local community representation within the energy workforce, specifically around recruitment, training and retention of individuals and contractors historically underrepresented in the home performance industry.

DOE expects applicants to coordinate investments and leverage funds to maximize benefits with a goal of a 2:1 ratio of other funding to DOE money. Leveraged resources may include federal (non-DOE) or non-federal funding, financial contributions, volunteer labor, in-kind donations, and other resources provided by partner organizations.

Applications will be accepted in three categories: 

• Multifamily
• Single Family & Manufactured Housing
• Workforce Development

Categories of work include:

• Make Homes Weatherization-Ready
• Healthy Homes and Indoor Environments
• Renewable Energy and New Technologies
• Best Practices and Monitoring

For a complete list of allowable activities, see the full Funding Opportunity Announcement.