Introduction to Weatherization Plus Health: A Local WAP Agency Perspective
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Introduction to Weatherization Plus Health: A Local WAP Agency Perspective Updated May 2013
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Introduction to Weatherization Plus Health: A Local WAP Agency Perspective. Updated May 2013. Healthy Homes. “The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists.” Florence Nightingale 1800’s. Why Weatherization?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Introduction to Weatherization Plus Health: A Local WAP Agency Perspective
Introduction to Weatherization Plus Health:
A Local WAP Agency PerspectiveUpdated May 2013
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Healthy Homes
“The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists.”
Florence Nightingale
1800’s
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Why Weatherization?
2011 Home Energy Affordability Gap – North Carolina Data
# of Households Poverty LevelEnergy Burden
67,616 < 50% FPL64.3%
40,214 50 – 74%25.9%
48,068 75 – 99%18.6%
• North Carolina energy bills exceed affordability for households below 185% of the federal poverty level by an average of $1,650 per year (24th in the country).
• The percentage of the energy affordability gap covered by Federal Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) is 20.2% (42nd highest in the country).
www.homeenergyaffordabilitygap.com
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Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): House As A System
House as a System
OccupantsMechanical Systems
Building Envelope
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US Department of Energy (DOE) WAP
Local CAA Weatherization Programs currently utilize:
• Trained and certified energy auditors• Trained and certified technicians• Sophisticated diagnostic testing protocols, such as:
– Blower door testing for house air tightness– Ambient air carbon monoxide testing– Heating system combustion analysis– Gas leak detection
• Trained energy (and health) educators• Certified post-work inspectors to certify
quality assurance
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Health & Safety in DOE WAP
• Lead• Required to work lead safe
• Asthma Triggers• Address source of moisture problems• Add/Repair Ventilation• Exclude pests during air sealing
• Injury Prevention• Can address some electrical issues• Add smoke detectors
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)• Usually can address health and
safety issues related to heating systems
• Add CO detectors
WAP Health & Safety (H&S) Measures are Often Effective:
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Health & Safety in WAP
• The agency has to defer work until problems are resolved by client or other sources of funding are used to remediate
• The agency tries but household does not get full advantage of WAP energy efficiency• Household does not receive WAP services or its health and safety problems resolved and health related issues can worsen
DOE WAP cannot resolve all health and safety issues due to its mandate as an energy efficiency program.
When there are unresolved health and safety issues:
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Introducing Weatherization Plus Health
The National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) is administering Weatherization Plus Health, a voluntary initiative, sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE), to enable the comprehensive, strategic coordination of resources for energy efficiency, health, and safety in low-income homes
Outcome: enhanced collaboration among public agencies and private organizations, leading to safer and more energy efficient homes in communities, fewer weatherization deferrals, lower home energy costs, and healthier families
Weatherization Plus Health Is…
An opportunity for Community Action Agency WAP providers and community partners to access complementary funds and services
A means to reduce WAP deferrals
A holistic approach to better serve our clients
An opportunity to position CAAs & WAP for participating in upcoming local community Affordable Care Act components
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Why?
Why Weatherization Plus Health?• Better, enhanced services to recipients• Funding is tight Programs must go above and
beyond WxPlusHealth enters the picture• WAP deferrals create burdensome administrative
loads. WxPlusHealth can help• Puts creativity of WAP, Healthy Homes, and
CAAs on full display, reinforcing their value in their local communities
With strategic coordination we can:• Develop strong working relationships with
community partners for future projects• Increase skillsets of WAP & HH workforce• Increase the economic stability of clients
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Eight Principles of a Healthy Homeas defined by Federal Healthy Homes Working Group
Keep it dryKeep it pest freeKeep it safeKeep it maintainedKeep it cleanKeep it ventilatedKeep it contaminant freeThermally controlled (Energy Efficient)*
*added Feb 2013 by HHWG
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From Weatherization to Health: Scope & Assessment
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Opportunity for community collaboration
• Hospital Community Benefits. Needs assessment, projects that meet local needs.
• Prevention & Public Health Fund. Federal grants for projects that address upstream influences on health, including healthy and safe housing as part of community environments.
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Funds for Projects & Programs
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NASCSP Contactsfor additional information
Jenae BjellandDirector of Healthy
Homes(202) 624-5850
Raymond ThomasProject Manager(202) 624-5996
Ryan WardResearch Analyst(202) 624-5994
www.WxPlusHealth.org
Lisa KeseckerWx Plus Health Consultant
(304) [email protected]
