text: Weatherization help in New York
  The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal will be offering a weatherization assistance program, and federal government stimulus funds are helping to increase the number of people helped, according to New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr.
  This program assists both low and mid income-eligible individuals and families and individuals by helping them to lower both their heating and cooling costs, and funds can also be used for improving the safety of their homes through energy conservation measures. Such improvements that can be performed measures include insulation, air sealing, ceiling and wall insulation, heating system replacement or improvements, efficiency and upgrades and improvements in lighting, hot water tank and pipe insulation and refrigerator and freezer repair or replacements with Energy Star-rated units and other energy saving measures.
  There are some conditions in order to be eligible for the New York weatherization assistance program, and they include households must have household incomes at or below 60 percent of the state median income. While the program and improvements are available to help both homeowners and renters, the priority is provided to seniors, persons with disabilities, and families with children.
  Weatherization providers and contractors manage the program for the state, and most are also eligible but must demonstrate the capacity to administer the program, complete the improvements, and they must also have a history of providing service to the local community.
  This is the largest residential energy conservation program in the country, and in recent years the New York State Weatherization Assistance Program has provided more than $50 million throughout the state to help people save on their utility bills.