In 2009 the City of San Antonio was awarded $12.4M Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).Casa Verde was created to assist persons at or below 200 percent of the federally determined poverty level whose homes qualify, by providing free upgrades to increase the energy efficiency of their dwellings, thereby reducing utility bills.
Due to positive program performance, the city received an additional $4.9M in WAP funding. The total $17.3M allocation reached 3,320 low-income households and 7,775 citizens during the 2.5 year grant period.
The average household received $1,030 in health & safety improvements and $4,000 in weatherization services including insulation, air leak reduction, efficient appliances, compact fluorescent lights, new windows and doors, duct repair or replacement, and other measures. Those who received services under WAP have an Expected annual utility savings of $600 average per household and 95 % gave the program a positive rating
San Antonio was a leader among large Texan cities.
· We were awarded the most additional funds for high performance. The other large Texan cities lost nearly $400k on average
· San Antonio was #2 in the State in terms of total households weatherized 2nd only to Houston
· According to the TDHCA Director of Community Affairs, “the city that has shined the brightest for ARRA WAP is San Antonio and CPS Energy.”
The weatherization program has prepared CPS Energy to continue Casa Verde SA under its Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan, which CPS Energy will allow invest in Weatherization for additional homes outreach to begin in April.
