SNAP Set To Receive Recovery Act Funding

SPOKANE — More money to weatherize local residents’ homes is coming to Washington state as part of the $8 Billion “Recovery Act” that’s funding energy efficiency projects across the country.

The Spokane Neighborhood Action Program will get a slice of the $59 Million pie coming to Washington State for weatherization programs and under new federal guidelines, more families can benefit from the program.

On Friday, a crew from SNAP was out working to help make a north Spokane home more energy efficient, adding insulation and switching out old windows and doors for newer versions.

“SNAP has been doing this for over 25 years, every year we normally will weatherize between 300 and 400 homes,” Ron Hardin with SNAP said.

However with SNAP planning to receive some of the Recovery Act funding, more families in our area will soon benefit from their home winterization program.

“We are excited about the fact that more money is going to come from this program this is a program that really helps a lot of people out,” Hardin said.

Recently approved federal funding means eligible homeowners across the state will get up to $6,500 for energy efficiency projects. Money that will be available to families making up to 200-percent of the federal poverty level which is about $44,000 a year for a family of four.

“We hope at least we can double the number of homes that we weatherize every year,” Hardin said.

There is no word yet on when that federal winterization funding is expected to show up in our area.