Low-income residents can save some green by going green.

“Weatherization is not like a sexy subject. The fact of the matter is that it really helps families, and it helps the planet, and it helps neighborhoods, and it’s a great addition to housing,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat, representing Norwood’s 13th Congressional District at a news conference announcing additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

The program increases the energy efficiency of low-income homes, which leads to lower utility bills. Some services WAP provides include repairing indoor heating systems, replacing windows and doors, sealing holes to reduce heat loss, installing energy efficient lighting and refrigeration, and removing other health and safety issues.

The program also sidesteps the option of Major Capital Improvements, which often lead to rent increases.

WAP’s local partner, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) received $2.3 million in funding to support local efforts in the Bronx. Nationwide, WAP received $251 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, $23 million more than it received last year.

The director of the weatherization program at NWBCCC, Fran Fuselli, also spoke at the conference about the work her organization does. “We’re so much more than an energy conservation program. In our communities we maintain and improve affordable housing for our people who otherwise might be priced out of their homes and apartments,” Fuselli said.

By providing necessary repairs to low-income households, WAP can help renters stay in their homes, instead of being forced out to allow expensive building-wide repairs. Under MCI guidelines, landlords can permanently increase rents in rent-controlled and rent-stabilized buildings following major repairs. But if 66 percent of a building’s tenants are income-eligible (individuals earning less than $27,816 annually, and families making less than $53,484), tenants can apply for WAP without worrying about MCI rent increases.

The first step in the WAP process is an assessment of what’s in need of repair, then contractors hired through WAP work on fixing and replacing problem areas, ultimately improving the overall health and safety quality of the home.

The goal is to offset energy costs for low-income residents, lessening the burden of their monthly energy bill. It could also mean lowering potential health risks related to substandard living conditions, like asthma and lead poisoning.

Editor’s Note: Anyone interested in having their home energy assessed, call the NWBCCC at (718) 584-0515, ext. 232.