DCA Awards $4 Million in Federal Funds to NJCAA
New Jersey Community Action Association to Use Money for Weatherization Projects


TRENTON - New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Charles A. Richman today joined Assemblyman Reed Gusciora in presenting a $4 million check to the New Jersey Community Action Association (NJCAA) for training weatherization workers and providing outreach to the community. New Jersey was allocated $118,821,296 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for the state's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which the DCA administers.

"The DCA is in the process of distributing federal funding for weatherization initiatives to experienced, capable organizations around the state, and the New Jersey Community Action Association is clearly on that list," said Acting Commissioner Richman. "For nearly 40 years, NJCAA has provided training and technical assistance in areas such as weatherization to organizations that help New Jerseyans in need."

The state's weatherization program (WAP) provides income-qualified New Jersey residents with services that reduce household energy use and costs by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety. Families will save an average of $413 in reduced first-year energy costs at current prices. WAP contracts with a network of community-based organizations that deliver weatherization throughout the state. The purpose of NJCAA's funding for training is to ensure weatherization work is done properly and efficiently, using up-to-date technology and building science techniques.

"As Governor Corzine has highlighted, energy efficiency does help households save money," said Acting Commissioner Richman.

Since WAP's inception in 1976, more than 148,500 housing units have been weatherized. With the increase in federal funding, the estimated number of homes to be weatherized over the next three years exceeds 13,500.

"This is a prime example of federal stimulus dollars being used for sound investments," said Assemblyman Gusciora (D-Princeton). "Without this funding, NJCAA would not be able to work with residents to make needed improvements in their homes."

NJCAA is a private, non-profit corporation that assists the state's 23 Community Action Agencies and four Limited Purpose Agencies. It also promotes networks between Community Action Agencies and other social services organizations that share NJCAA's objective of offering programs to match the needs of the state's low-income community.

For more information about the DCA's Weatherization Assistance Program, visit the Department's website at http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/wap.html or call (609) 633-2378.


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