Dallas County community agency receives grant to weatherize homes for elderly residents

The Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (CARPDC), which serves several counties including Dallas, recently received $291,917 to weatherize the homes of elderly and low-income residents.

According to an announcement by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Governor Kay Ivey awarded $3.2 million to 14 community agencies in Alabama to support the Weatherization Assistance Program.

“Those Alabama residents who are living on limited incomes, especially the elderly and disabled, can struggle to pay higher utility bills in the summer months,” Ivey commented in the announcement. “These grants will assist in lowering the energy bills for many of them by making upgrades to keep their houses cooler and more comfortable during the hot summer months.”

Those that qualify for assistance can receive help in installing extra insulation in the attic, walls and floor, as well as sealing air leaks around doors and windows, repairs or tune-ups for air conditioning/heating units, and replacing incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency bulbs.

The announcement also stated that assistance from the program can lower energy bills and reduce the risk of fire as a result of home improvements. In addition to Dallas County, the CARPDC serves Autauga, Chilton, Elmore, Macon, Perry, Russell and Shelby counties.