WAGAP accesses Yakima weatherization program

LIHEAP clients qualify to improve energy efficiency

Bingen, WA (May 22, 2025) - Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) has connected with the Weatherization Assistance Program through the Northwest Community Action Center (NCAC), a division of the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, to help households improve energy efficiency.

Todd Hilmes, Weatherization and Utility Assistance Program Manager for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, said that NCAC and WAGAP joined forces with the approval of the Washington State Department of Commerce to provide home weatherization services to Klickitat and Skamania counties earlier this year. “The center brings 25 years of experience working with low-income homeowners to cut down on electricity bills, improve in-home safety, and generally make homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer,” he said.

Clients of WAGAP who already qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) automatically qualify for this program. Additionally, homeowners or renters in Washington who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or 60 percent of the state median income also qualify. Information and a detailed eligibility chart are available at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/weatherization/.

For qualified households in its service area, WAGAP would connect them with the NCAC to have a certified professional conduct an audit of the home and outline updates that would help reduce energy bills. They will then analyze the findings to pinpoint the most effective upgrades for the home.

Jennifer Pauletto, WAGAP’s executive director, said it is important to note that this is not a window replacement program and no guarantees are made that a home will be eligible for specific upgrades. “Clients will work with our partners at the Northwest Community Action Center to determine the most appropriate course of action for their homes,” she said.

Types of work may include insulation installation, weather stripping, air sealing, ventilation, LED light bulbs, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, testing hot water and HVAC systems, and providing education. The weatherization benefits include improved energy efficiency, better health and safety measures, cost savings, and a positive environmental impact.

A useful weatherization guide is available online in English at https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/76bbcl1b1ydh08brpcbtgbo4z4k8f4xu. A Spanish version is available at https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/aw265qp7i28ye4xb7afgljhs758hkc3s.

To apply, eligible homeowners and renters in Klickitat and Skamania counties should contact the WAGAP Energy Assistance program at (800) 755-1192 or online at the NCAC website, https://www.yvfwc.com/service/home-weatherization.

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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.