Purpose
The ITCA Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) coordinates weatherization upgrades for low income households on tribal lands with the goal of lowering the annual utility bills for low income families. The WAP priority list begins with the elderly, handicapped and families with children, high energy burden homes. Weatherization program participation is initially established for member tribes of ITCA following a relayed interest from the tribes and confirming a memorandum of agreement.
The ITCA has established a two option approach for Tribal Weatherization Program participation. The first option, the tribe coordinates the entire program with reimbursement provided for work completed on each eligible home. The second option, the tribe chooses to have the ITCA coordinate and manage the program, with ITCA directly contracting the weatherization work. The tribe provides the outreach, application procedures and scheduling; the ITCA coordinates the weatherization audits and weatherization work.
The program components are:
- Administration: The ITCA Program Coordinator maintains communication with all Tribal Weatherization Program Staff for tribes who have established a MOA, and confirms performance of contractors who may provide the weatherization audit and weatherization upgrades.
- Eligibility Determination: ITCA determines eligibility for weatherization using the DOE definition of low income and priority list for the basis of eligibility for the Weatherization Assistance Program. A tribal household shall be deemed low income if the annual household total income meets the income eligibility for assistance under the DOE Guidelines which allows eligibility up to 200% of the poverty guidelines.
- Technical Training: Upon signing of an agreement and as requested by the member tribe, both classroom instruction and hands-on technical training can be provided to tribal staff members responsible for completing the weatherization repairs. Training may include basic introduction to energy audits, pressure diagnostics and on the use of specialized diagnostic equipment.
Contact
Bruce Robinson, TWS Technical Assistance Program Manager
bruce.robinson@itcaonline.com