West Plains, MO. – On October 24th, Ozark Action Inc. finished in assisting an area couple get ready for the winter season by providing improved insulation to their home through their OAI Weatherization Program.
This program, funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources – Division of Energy, aims at reducing the costs of maintaining a livable home through a comprehensive plan that includes home repair, replacement of heating systems, and supplying insulation; all at no cost to the recipient.
The pair who benefitted this time were Vickie and Jim Clancy of West Plains. The pair were unsure if their situation would qualify them for this improvement. After being on the waitlist for 2 years, the couple received notification that their home was next on the list.
Ozark Action’s Housing Division Director Ed Button commented at the end of the project, stating that they invested about $3,000 worth of work and resources into the home. “People from all walks of life who qualify for assistance should take advantage of these programs. After all, you either are paying into or have paid into it. Why not get some return on that investment?”
Button added that now is the best time to sign up for weatherization work. “Thanks to our partners in the federal government, this program is funded to levels we haven’t seen since the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. OAI’s weatherization program is typically funded at around $500,000 each year. However, COVID-19 spending at the federal level has increased our program budget to over $900,000 for at least the next year. That’s more money coming into your local stores and restaurants. Compound that with the roughly $300 families save on their utility bills each year and the local impact this program has is amazing.”
From October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, Ozark Action weatherized 55 homes in their 6-county service area of Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Douglas, Wright, and Texas Counties. To qualify for weatherization through Ozark Action, applicants must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or $39,440 for a household of two and $60,000 for a household of four.
People seeking to fill out an application for housing or weatherization assistance or one of the other many programs offered at Ozark Action will need to make an appointment by calling 417-256-6147. For more information on Ozark Action and their services visit www.oaiwp.org.
