NEWS releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Betsy Bell
Sheltering Arms Senior Services
713-685-6581
bbell@shelteringarms.org
Free Energy Efficiency Measures Help Low Income Households
Stimulus Funding To Increase Weatherization Program by Sevenfold
HOUSTON (March 20, 2009) . . . For many low income Houstonians, electricity and gas bills consume as
much as half the household budget. High energy costs cut into other basic needs and threaten the health of
the frail and elderly. Sheltering Arms Senior Services’ weatherization program provides free energy
efficiency home improvements to low income, Harris County households. The improvements cut energy
costs by at least 20 percent.
The Department of Energy has funded weatherization programs for more than 30 years. Thanks
to the state’s $17 billion stimulus package, Sheltering Arms Senior Services’ weatherization funding for
Harris County will increase from 1.4 million in 2008 to an estimated 30 million over the next three
years. Last year, Sheltering Arms Senior Services weatherized more than 400 Harris County households.
With the increase in funding, more than 1,500 households can be weatherized annually.
The program allows up to $6,500 in improvements per home, a higher cap than in the past.
Measures include attic and wall insulation, solar screens, weather-stripping and updating inefficient
heaters and air conditioners. To qualify, applicants must reside in Harris County and have incomes at no
more than 125% of the federal poverty level. They do not have to own their home. Priority is given to
those 60 and older, the disabled and those families with children six and younger.
“Hispanics’ participation in this program is disproportionately low,” said Lynne Cook, vice president of housing and energy management, marketing and development at Sheltering Arms Senior Services. “Although Hispanics account for nearly 40 percent of Harris County’s population, they made up just 10 percent of the weatherization clients we served last year,” said Cook. “We are increasing outreach to this population segment and others, to make sure program recipients are reflective of Harris County’s diversity,” Cook adds.
To apply, Harris County residents are instructed to call United Way’s 2-1-1 and ask for information on Sheltering Arms Senior Services’ utility assistance and weatherization programs. The agency combines its utility assistance and weatherization services to optimize homes’ energy efficiency. Information is also available at www.shelteringarms.org.
Funding Facts
• Sheltering Arms Senior Services is 1 of 34 Texas sites that distributes federal weatherization funds.
• Harris County receives the largest funding amount in Texas.
• Sheltering Arms Senior Services receives additional weatherization funding from the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
To obtain additional information or to schedule an interview with an agency official or program beneficiary, please contact Betsy Bell at 713-685-6581 or bbell@shelteringarms.org.
About Sheltering Arms Senior Services
Sheltering Arms Senior Services promotes the dignity and independence of older adults through services, advocacy,
and support for caregivers. More than 53,000 Houston-area older adults and their families are helped each year via
its home health care, geriatric care management and consultation, Alzheimer’s day care, telephone reassurance, case
management and housing and energy management programs. Sheltering Arms serves as the lead organization for
Care for Elders, a partnership of more than 80 organizations whose mission is to improve the care and services
provided to vulnerable older adults and family caregivers in Harris County. For more information call 713-685-
6577 or visit www.shelteringarms.org.
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