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Frequently Asked Questions What is the Weatherization Program? The Weatherization Program, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, provides energy efficiency and life safety home improvements to low-income residents at no cost to the household, but within limited Federal and State spending limits. The program’s primary goal is to reduce household energy costs for
What is the Minor Repair Program? The Minor Repair Program, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (see CDBG), provides assistance for increased accessibility, energy efficiency and repairs threatening health or safety in owner-occupied homes (including single homes, condos, and mobile homes). What is the difference between the Weatherization and Minor Repair Programs? Both programs make improvements to residential homes, apartments and condos and require the resident household to apply for assistance. The Minor Repair Program is only available to homeowners, whereas, Weatherization is also available to renters. The Weatherization Program’s scope is limited to energy efficiency and life-safety improvements, whereas the Minor Repair Program can do that plus accessibility improvements and essential repairs. Weatherization has a more limited budget, but neither program is a loan; both are grant programs provided free of charge to the resident household. Weatherization has a short turnaround time, whereas Minor Repair has a long waiting list. Do I need to complete two applications, one for Weatherization and one for the Minor Repair Program? No. Even though the programs are funded and processed separately, there is a combined application to streamline the application process. Applications are available online, at our office (map), and are available through the mail. To receive an application in the mail, please call us at (907) 343-4881. We will ask you a few questions to make sure we give you the correct forms (for example, if you are an owner or renter, if you filed taxes last year, if there are any unemployed adults in your home, and if you live in a mobile home park). Our office is located What are the income-limits for the Weatherization and Minor Repair Programs? Income limits are established on an annual basis and are adjusted for household size. All occupants of the home (even non-family members) count as members of the household. For Weatherization and Minor Repair Program income limits, click here. How can I qualify for weatherization? In addition to income qualification (see above), your house can not have been weatherized since September 30, 1993. You also must live within How can I qualify for the Minor Repair Program? In addition to income qualification (see above), the property must be owner-occupied (rental units do not qualify), and you may not hold liquid assets over $10,000. You also must live within Yes, you are still eligible for Weatherization, but the Minor Repair Program requires applicants to own and occupy their homes. For renters, we will need landlord approval and utility proof. Rental units are defined by separate entrances and addresses. I live in a mobile home. Can I apply for the Weatherization and Minor Repair Programs? Yes; if you own your mobile home, you may apply for both Weatherization and Minor Repair. This is true even if you rent the lot your home sits on from a mobile home park owner. If you rent your mobile home, you may apply only for Weatherization. If you live in a mobile home park, the park owner or manager will have to consent to our crew being on the property. My home has been assisted by the Weatherization Program in the past. Will I qualify for Weatherization assistance? Probably not. Each dwelling is limited to one-time-only program participation unless prior upgrades to the dwelling were completed prior to My home has previously benefited from the Minor Repair Program. Can I reapply to the program? Yes, but there is a minimum three-year grant period and funding limitations, which must be observed before being considered for the program again. As a landlord, am I eligible for Weatherization? Technically, no. But you may encourage and help your tenants to apply – this is usually the most effective way to weatherize a building with rental units, and you are encouraged to pursue it. If your tenants meet the income guidelines, we can weatherize their units in your building. If at least 66% of the units in your building have qualifying tenants (or 50% for a duplex or four-plex), we can weatherize common systems, such as the roof and common areas. This is frequently where the greatest energy-related cost savings are found. I am a landlord, how much does the Weatherization Program cost me? There is no required landlord contribution; however, we do have stricter spending limits for rental units than for owner units. We can exceed these limits when the owner also contributes to the project. Please contact to the How much does the program cost the applicant? The Minor Repair and Weatherization Programs are funded through outside grants and provided without charge. I am a tenant and my landlord will not sign the Landlord Tenant agreement. What do I do? We cannot weatherize housing without the owner’s consent, and the owner is not required by law to provide consent. You can try providing more information to the landlord about the benefits of weatherization, but it is the landlord’s right to decline assistance from the program. There generally is no waiting list for the Weatherization Program; however, it may take two to six weeks for service. The waiting list for the Minor Repair Program is usually over a year or two. For an update on the wait list, please call the Department of Neighborhoods: 343-4881. If you are interested in the Minor Repair Program, it is recommended that, you apply as soon as possible in order to be added to the waiting list. I qualify for Weatherization assistance. Will you replace my windows and doors? The Weatherization Program prioritizes improvements that have the greatest energy “bang for the buck,” and Weatherization improvements have very limited budgets. Usually, air-sealing and occasional storm windows are just as effective as window replacement, and considerably less costly. The assessor who evaluates your home will determine what improvements the program can make. Will I have to move out of my home while improvements are made? Unlikely; we do ask that you secure pets and move furniture out of the way of the work area. Occasionally, improvements made under the Minor Repair will require you to move out for a short time, however, the work and related relocation is voluntary. We can pay for your temporary location as part of the job; however, this reduces the amount of money available for improvements on your home. Yes, we often repair roofs as part of our Minor Repair Program. However, it is up to the assessor to determine the scope of work. We will not build you a new home, garage, or leisure deck. The program has a limited scope and is focused on repairs. Additionally, we do make modifications on homes to accommodate for disabled individuals (i.e., we widen doors to accommodate wheelchairs, we install ramps, and we install other access related features). Keep in mind the Minor Repair Program has a long wait list, and it has limited ability to respond to emergencies. Do your services cover homes in the Valley? No, our services only cover the Can I sell my home after it has been assisted by the Weatherization Program? You will not qualify for Weatherization if the house or apartment is actively on the market while we are doing the repairs. The program is not intended for people who anticipate selling their home soon. However, no lien is placed on your home at the conclusion of the program. Please note that sometimes Minor Repair funds are used to supplement a Weatherization project, in which case the Minor Repair rules apply with regards to selling your home (see next question). Can I sell my home after it has been assisted by the Minor Repair Program? When you agree to participate in the Minor Repair Program, you also agree not to sell it for three years after the work has been completed. |
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PO Box 196650 Anchorage, Alaska 99519
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