Oregon Housing and Community Services recently announced that $4.5 million dollars in grant funding is available statewide to help households in low-income situations weatherize their homes or build new energy-efficient housing.

These grant funds come from Oregon Department of Justice settlements with El Paso Corporation and Duke Energy companies.

“Weatherization efforts do more than keep low-income Oregonians warm,” said OHCS Director Victor Merced in a press release. “Investment in weatherization and energy-efficient housing benefits local communities - creating jobs, increasing activity at local business, generating taxes, and extending household budgets.”

In fact, these new funds will generate significant economic benefit across the state. The $4.5 million grant will generate an additional $5.3 million for a total statewide economic impact of $9.8 million.

Recent research conducted by Oregon Housing and Community Services found that every weatherization program dollar spent in Oregon generated another $1.17 in economic activity across the state.

Additionally, low-income families spend more locally when their energy bills fall, with each household saving an average of $274 per year.

“When weatherization and energy efficient housing are combined with energy education, the savings are even more significant and the impacts for those in low-income situations can be felt almost immediately,” says Mary Schoen-Clark, the CEO of Oregon Coast Community Action, contracting agency for passing through the weatherization dollars to Coos and Curry counties, in the press release. “Oregon Coast Community Action focuses on providing a holistic approach to address the energy needs of those we serve. This benefits our customers, fulfills our mission and gives back to our community.”

For more information on the Low-Income Weatherization Economic Impacts study, those interested can visit the Web site of Oregon Housing & Community Services at www.ohcs.oregon.gov/OHCS/SOS_WX_Economic_Impact.shtml or call Dan Elliot at (503) 986-2016 or e-mail him at dan.elliot@hcs.state.or.us .

For more information on weatherization or energy assistance, those interested can visit the Web site at www.orcca.us.