Need repairs to your home for winter weather in Kansas City? These programs could help
It’s officially winter. While it hasn’t felt that way outside yet, the cold and snow are on the way as we move further into the season. Some houses are better prepared to handle the weather than others, and now is the time to get yours ready.
Missouri and Kansas have programs to assist homeowners in weatherizing their homes for the winter. Typical weatherization measures include:
Air sealing to reduce infiltration
Attic, sidewall, floor and foundation insulation
Pipe or duct insulation
Water heater blankets
Energy-efficient lighting replacement
Heating and cooling system repair or replacement
Here’s how to apply for programs in both states that repair and prepare homes for the cold weather.
HOW TO APPLY IN MISSOURI
The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program helps homeowners with cost-effective, energy-efficient home improvements for free. It involves long-term and permanent repairs to a home, lowering utility bills and providing families with safe and healthy living conditions.
Kansas City residents can apply through the Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City. Insured professional contractors will do the work for qualified homeowners.
Here’s what you’ll need to be eligible for repairs:
Copy of the main applicant’s social security card.
Copies of income for everyone in the house for the three months prior to your application date. If you signed the application in April, they’d need your income for January through March.
Copies of your recent gas and electric bills. The utilities must be on in order to be eligible.
Proof of homeownership, such as a deed. You can get this from your county courthouse through the Recorder of Deeds Department in Clay, Jackson and Platte counties
Be within 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The same guidelines apply to tenants in apartment complexes. If you fit the criteria, apply here.
Below is an example of what contractors look for before starting repairs:
HOW TO APPLY IN KANSAS
LIWAP is also available in Kansas through Kansas Housing. In counties such as Johnson and Wyandotte, you’d go to East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation.
Like Missouri, this program is free for homeowners who meet the requirements. Eligible families will receive an assessment of the entire home and Kansas Housing’s network of professional crews and contractors will improve and repair the home.
Eligibility is based on household income, and those guidelines can be found here.
The house is automatically eligible if someone living in the home receives the following:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits
Utility assistance from the Low Income Energy Association Program
The eligibility requirements also apply to tenants living in apartments. If you meet the criteria, apply here.
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME
If you instead want to work with an independent contractor, the Department of Energy has some tips and tricks you can do at home to weatherize your home before they arrive to repair. It includes step-by-step guides on how to:
Close air leaks using caulk
Seal windows and doors with weatherstripping
Install exterior storm windows to reduce heat loss
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
