August 15th, 2009  

 

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut has received federal approval for plans to use more than $76 million in stimulus funds to greatly expand home weatherization and bolster community programs that provide job training and employment services, housing assistance, crisis intervention and health and nutrition services. 

 

            Governor Rell said the state is approved for $64.3 million in weatherization aid and $12 million in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding. The CSBG money will be allocated among non-profit social service agencies across the state. 

 

            “This infusion of federal funds presents us with tremendous opportunities for job creation and community revitalization across the state,” Governor Rell said. “We anticipate great demand for installers, heating and cooling contractors and other energy-related ‘green’ jobs as we plan to weatherize hundreds more households and help families cut down their energy costs. 

 

            “The stimulus funding will also strengthen services that directly help families and individuals through Connecticut’s network of non-profit community action agencies,” the Governor said. “We have expanded eligibility to give more families access to these services which have become increasingly necessary during this economic downturn.” 

 

 

            The state will use stimulus funds to weatherize approximately 7,400 homes over the next three years, helping low-income households to minimize energy costs and reduce fuel use. 

 

            Homes will receive an energy audit to determine the most cost-effective weatherization activities. Some of the most common measures include attic insulation, sidewall insulation and other air-sealing methods such as caulking or weather-stripping. 

 

            Connecticut will expand the existing weatherization program by raising the income level for eligible households. This means a family of four can qualify for the program with an income of $56,293, compared with an income of $42,400 under the old plan. 

 

            Governor Rell said the state expects to create more than 600 jobs to meet the increased demand for services. The initial weatherization award of $25.7 million will be augmented by further funding up to $64.3 million over three years as the state implements its program. 

 

            The Department of Social Services (DSS) will administer the program through local Community Action Agencies or other public or non-profit entities, the Governor said. DSS will also work with the Department of Economic and Community Development to make energy efficiency improvements in state-financed public housing, particularly in senior housing units where the residents pay for their own heat. 

 

            To meet work force demands, training and employment recruitment opportunities will be available through the state Department of Labor/Workforce Investment Boards; Community and Technical College Network/Vocational Technical High School System; and the state Office of Workforce Competitiveness. 

 

            The funding breakdown includes: 

 

·         $19.1 million for public housing units

 

·         $28.5 million for Community Action Programs

 

·         $5 million for training and job recruitment

 

·         $7.1 million for special projects (shelters, incentive programs)

 

·         $3.7 million for administration 

 

 

            The Community Services Block Grant supports a variety of human services programs delivered in local communities and neighborhoods. Connecticut’s regular allocation of nearly $8.4 million annually will be buttressed by an additional $6 million annually over the next two years through the stimulus. 

 

            CSBG funds will be directed to regional community action agencies: 

 

·         $2.92 million for Community Renewal Team, Hartford

 

·         $1.6 million for New Opportunities, Waterbury

 

·         $1.29 million for Action for Bridgeport Community Development

 

·         $1.54 million for Community Action Agency, New Haven

 

·         $805,588 for Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Norwich

 

·         $765,963 for ACCESS Agency, Willimantic

 

·         $604,188 for Committee on Training and Employment (CTE), Stamford

 

·         $507,448 for Community Action Committee, Danbury

 

·         $462,936 for Human Resource Agency, New Britain

 

·         $392,033 for Training, Education and Manpower (TEAM), Derby

 

·         $357,651 for Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now

 

·         $346,367 for the Connecticut Association for Community Action

 

·         $336,372 for Bristol Community Organizations 

 

            As part of the plan, the state plans to serve more families by raising the income level of eligible households. For a family of four, this means qualifying for the program with an income of $42,400, compared with an income of $27,562 under the old plan. 

 

            For more detailed information on Connecticut’s weatherization and Community Services Block Grant plans, the public can visit www.ct.gov/dss and click on the Recovery Information link.