Across the United States, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, low-income communities, youth and elders, are some of the most impacted by the climate and housing crisis, including the cost of energy and environmental health disparities.

Home weatherization, or the application of energy efficiency measures to a home, can help mitigate some of these impacts on communities. Yet, significant barriers often prevent the implementation of weatherization in homes of BIPOC and low-income households, These pre-weatherization barriers include roof repairs, electrical wiring upgrades, mold and moisture mitigation, vermiculite and asbestos mitigation, and exterior repairs such as siding, trim, etc.

The COVID pandemic, wildfires, flooding, and other impacts of climate change have exacerbated the many concerns that low-income residents deal with on a daily basis such as energy costs and negative health outcomes due to poor indoor air quality. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, and taking other measures to improve health and safety. Many individuals are unaware of the WAP and the benefits it can provide. Increasing participation in the WAP program is one pathway to helping low-income households reduce energy costs and improve indoor environmental quality.

The Emerald Connections: Community Centered Weatherization Plus Health Program builds on the existing WAP program to deliver more comprehensive home energy improvements to low-income households. The pilot will deliver up to 60 single-family deep energy retrofits in one community within Washington state. It will cover measures that include pre-weatherization mitigation barriers in addition to certain energy efficiency retrofits that are not covered under the state’s existing weatherization assistance program.  

Emerald Cities Collaborative recognizes the important leadership of community-based organizations (CBOs) in facilitating engagement that is responsive to community needs. This community engagement approach differs from the traditional building or residence level focus for weatherization assistance programs. In partnership with El Centro de la Raza as the CBO lead, program partners will integrate community feedback into the final program design of Emerald Connections.

Emerald Connections Northwest will be launched in partnership with the following organizations and agency:

Cadeo Group

Center for EcoTechnology (CET)

City of Seattle Office of Housing

El Centro de la Raza