The Weatherization Program delivered by the Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties receives its funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce. It includes federal funds from the Bonneville Power Association, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the state-funded Washington State Weatherization Plus Health Program. Additional funding comes through partnerships with local utilities, such as Puget Sound Energy (PSE), AVISTA, and KPUD, and other contributions so that these services may be delivered to you free of charge.

Affordable housing is defined as a home that takes no more than 30% of the household’s income for rent or mortgage and utilities. Many low-income families in Washington pay more than 25 % of their income for energy costs alone. Weatherization programs exist to help low-income households reduce home energy consumption while increasing the health, safety, comfort, and longevity of their homes.

Weatherization is the application of energy efficiency measures to a home. These may include:

• Air sealing measures
  • Weather-stripping and caulking
  • Insulation measures to ceiling, wall, and floor areas
  • Related repair measures
• Health and Safety Issues
  • Indoor air quality
  • Heating system repairs

Each home is unique to what it needs. A trained energy assessor/inspector will visit your home to determine exactly what work your home may need. Measures are installed according to established technical specifications, cost effectiveness tests, and applicable building codes using CAC crews and specialty contractors.

*Note that general window replacement is not a priority measure and may not qualify under the program.

To qualify, the gross income received by all household members must be at or below 60% state or 200% of the current federally established poverty guidelines—whichever is greater. Income documentation and evaluation is required to determine actual eligibility. The homeowner will be required to sign all authorization forms if determined eligible for assistance.

Homes that are severely deteriorated and require extensive repairs may be ruled “beyond the scope of the program” and, therefore, ineligible for weatherization and minor home repair service.

Helpful links

United States Department of Agriculture: www.rd.usda.gov/

Housing Authority of Thurston County: www.hatc.org

*Information on how to become a weatherization contractor for CACLMT: Weatherization ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2020.

Pleaseclick herefor more information regarding Grants supporting our Weatherization Program.

Washington State Low-Income Weatherization (Wx) Program 2026
Income Eligibility Guidelines

The Federal guidance for the Washington State Low-Income Weatherization Program Eligibility Guidelines is 200-percent of federally established poverty guidelines. It is acceptable to consider total household income at or below 200-percent Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or 60-percent State Median Income (SMI), whichever is greater.

Columns A & B show that maximum monthly and annual income allowed at 200% FPL.
Columns C & D show maximum monthly and annual income for households at 60% SMI.
Further income documentation testing must be done to determine actual eligibility.

Further income documentation testing is required to determine actual eligibility.  Guidelines are revised annually. If your household appears close to qualifying, please contact CAC at (360) 438-1100 to speak to a CAC representative. To qualify for weatherization services, the gross income received by all household members must be at or below 200% of the federally-established poverty guidelines or 60% of State median income. Priority will be given to the households with income at or below the 125% level.

The Home Rehabilitation Grant Program (HRGP) provides funding to assist individuals with home-repair improvements that address health, safety and durability issues in homes in rural areas (defined by the Dept. of Commerce as Lewis and Mason counties).

Who qualifies for a home repair grant?

Grants are available to low-income homeowners who reside in eligible rural areas of Washington state. Interested households must apply and qualify for the program through one of the participating rehabilitation agencies listed below. Priority is given to seniors, disabled residents, families with children under five years old, and veterans.

Who qualifies as a low-income homeowner?

There are three ways to determine income eligibility. You may qualify under any of the following income brackets per household. To qualify, the household’s income must be at or below the following:

• 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FLP)
• 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
• 60% of the State Median Income (SMI)

To determine income eligibility, the annual gross household income includes:

• Earned income (income from any household member 18 years of age or older).
• Income from other sources (DSHS, SSI, SSD, VA, unemployment or self-employment).
• Passive income (investments, stocks, rental properties, rent for tenants not part of the household).

For more information related to income eligibility please contact one of the Commerce-approved agencies listed under the “Who can I contact for program information” section.

What is an eligible rural area location?

To determine if your address qualifies as an eligible residence, please get in touch with any of the approved rehabilitation agencies and ask whether your address qualifies as an eligible rural residence.

What types of home repairs qualify for this program?

• Eligible repairs include:
  • Improvements to ensure healthy living conditions for the occupants
  • Improvements related to households experiencing disabilities
  • Hazard remediation removal or abatement
• Repair or replacement of major housing systems:
  • Structural
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Heating
  • Ventilating
  • Air conditioning
  • Roofing
• Repair to infrastructure:
  • Septic
  • Sewer
  • Water
  • Foundations

Who can I contact for program information?

You can contact one of the Commerce-approved rehabilitation agencies located throughout the state. Commerce has contracted with several organizations to administer the program and works with licensed contractors to provide home repair services. A Commerce-approved agency can assist you with the application process.

Commerce-approved agencies may be unable to provide complete services outside their service areas, and they will be accessible for information only.

Program Page at Dept. of Commerce

Click here for more information.