ANCHORAGE – April 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — As of March 31, 2013, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s (AHFC) Weatherization Program, serving primarily the elderly, those with disabilities and families with children younger than age six, has invested more than $205 million since 2008 to improve the energy efficiency of an estimated 10,500 Alaska homes used by lower-income renters and homeowners.
The Weatherization Program was created by the U.S. Department of Energy in the late ‘70s and placed under the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA). Later, in 1992, the responsibility for the program was turned over to AHFC. In 2008, when Alaska was plagued with exceptionally high energy costs while the state itself was bringing in high revenue, the legislature dramatically increased funding to $360 million for the Weatherization Program and its companion, the Home Energy Rebate Program. Since then, more than half a billion dollars have been provided to AHFC by the governor and legislature for continuing the energy efficiency efforts.
Work is completed in the home by service providers and generally has a very strong local workforce component, so jobs stay in the communities where families are served.
A report prepared by the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) shows the resulting energy savings each year; the average savings per home is approximately 30 percent, keeping hundreds of dollars or more in Alaskans’ hands. The average annual savings amounts to approximately $1,300 per home.
“The positive economic impact this program has on our state is clear,” said AHFC Executive Director and CEO Dan Fauske. “We appreciate the support of Governor Parnell and the Alaska legislature in their desire to help Alaskans save money by allowing AHFC to continue opening doors for Alaskans.”
“The Weatherization Program is having a significant impact on the lives of Alaska families,” said Association of Alaska Housing Authorities Statewide Administrator Heather Arnett. “Families from Kiana to Angoon to the state’s urban centers are now living in healthier, warmer homes and are spending less of their income on home energy costs.”
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is a public corporation with a long history of providing Alaskans access to safe, quality and affordable housing through home financing programs, energy efficiency and weatherization programs, public housing and more. Since 1986, AHFC has contributed almost $2 billion to the State of Alaska’s General Fund.
Contact:
Soren Johansson, 907-540-2000
sjohansson (at) ahfc (dot) us
