HRDC offers several programs that help low-income individuals and families cope with the high cost of home heating during Montana’s cold winters. The energy programs provide eligible households with financial assistance to help with heating costs, heating emergencies such as shut-off notices or furnace failure, and information on energy conservation, health, and safety. HRDC Energy Programs also help renters and homeowners lower the cost of home heating by installing energy conservation retrofits such as insulation, storm windows, and weather-stripping, and testing and tuning combustion appliances for safety and efficiency. Click here to download the ENERGY PROGRAMS application for both weatherization and home heating assistance.
frequently-asked-questions
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
helps eligible renters and homeowners during the winter months (October – April) by paying a portion of their winter heating cost. Eligiblity is based on the household’s gross income and resources. The LIEAP benefit is usually made directly to the heat source vendor; however if the household heats with wood or has their heat included in their rent payment the benefit may be paid directly to the household. Click here for the 2010 ENERGY PROGRAMS application for weatherization and LIEAP.
Energy Share
helps households with energy related emergencies. Energy Share, which is funded solely by donations, provides zero interest loans to households who are either without or soon to be without heat. Energy Share loans can be repaid with payments as low as $10 monthly. Some examples of energy emergencies are: a shut-off notice from the Power Company, inability to obtain heat or power due to a past bill, repair or replacement of a nonfunctioning furnace, or damages that affect the ability to heat the home. Persons applying for Energy Share need to complete the ENERGY PROGRAMS Application (coming in October 2009)and a brief ENERGY SHARE Supplement.
Weatherization Assistance Program
reduces a household’s heating costs by installing energy saving measures on an eligible renter’s or owner’s home. Persons qualifying for LIEAP are also eligible for home weatherization. A certified energy auditor performs a comprehensive energy audit that identifies energy related health and safety issues and areas where the home is losing heat. The home energy auditor also tests indoor air quality as sealing every air leak can make a home too tight and create dangerous health and safety issues. Energy saving retrofits are installed on the homes of eligible customers at no cost to the homeowner, landlord, or renter. What weatherization measures are performed are determined by a savings to investment ratio requiring the energy measures pay for themselves through heat bill savings within the lifetime of the measure. Typical weatherization includes air sealing, attic, floor, and wall insulation, weather-stripping, minor energy related repairs, and heating system testing and repair.
Home Rehabilitation
Home Rehabilitation Program is not an energy program but works closely with the weatherization program. HRDC’s rehabilitation program offers forgivable loans to home owners to fix up their houses. Eligible applicants live in rural areas (not Bozeman), own their home and lot, and their home is on a foundation. The income guidelines are set at 80% of the area median income. For example a household of four in Park County qualifies for home rehabilitation if their annual gross income is less than $42,700. The rehabilitation program prioritizes elderly and disabled homeowners. Rehabilitation funds are used to repair portions of the home that do not meet housing quality standards and violate building codes. Common activities include repairing or replacing roofs, installing egress windows, smoke alarms, and rebuilding decks and stairways. HRDC rehabilitates 20 houses annually. HRDC partners with another organization, the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D, to add self help requirements for each household. The self help portion can be performed by the members of the household, relatives, friends, neighbors, and/or service groups. Through self help the rehabilitation cost is lowered and household members learn home repair skills. HRDC offers one of three self help rehabilitation programs in the nation.
