Bringing Fresh Air and Comfort to Homes: Weatherization Plus Health

We like to think of home as our safe haven. A place that’s a cozy, comfortable safe shelter from the literal storms. We can all agree home shouldn’t be a place that makes you sick or your loved ones, and no one wants to be afraid to open their energy bill at the end of the month. That’s why Opportunity Council is proud to help qualifying homeowners through the Weatherization Plus Health program. Made possible by the Washington State Department of Commerce, Opportunity Council’s Weatherization Plus Health is an extension of a 2017 project designed to help improve the homes of children and adults with asthma

Okay, but what does “Weatherization Plus Health” do?

Weatherization Plus Health is like the Avengers for people’s homes. Across Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties, weatherization and home repair experts swoop in to enhance a home’s energy efficiency and fix issues that are harmful to health over time.

As the program name indicates, Weatherization Plus Health combines work in two key areas:

1. 1. Weatherization: This means making homes more energy-efficient and helping ensure they’re in good shape to protect folks from wind, rain, sun and all that our Pacific Northwest climate has to offer. Work in this area can include:
    - Installing insulation to keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer to reduce the strain on ac units and heating systems
    - Blocking drafts, repairing roof leaks, and reducing excess moisture in crawl spaces all to keep out winter wind and rain
    - Making sure home heating systems operate as efficiently as possible to lower energy costs
  2. Health: This means making homes healthier for children, families, and homeowners by improving air quality and removing hazards that can trigger asthma and other respiratory problems. The health services of the program can include:
    - Ventilation upgrades to improve overall air quality in the home by properly venting heating, cooling, cooking systems, and bathrooms
    - Removing pests like disease-carrying rodents and other vermin
    - Removing old carpets, which can harbor threats to respiratory health
    - Repairing plumbing leaks and other sources of moisture

Real Lives, Real Impact

Since 2023, 15 income-qualifying households have safer, healthier, and more energy efficient homes for themselves and their families. Free to homeowners who meet the programs requirements, the program has received glowing reviews for both the improvements and service from the Opportunity Council team. Participants describe the information and support they receive as “useful, clear, and concise.” When asked about what improvements they thought would make the biggest difference in their lives, one homeowner simply couldn’t pick instead saying they “love them all.”

Who can qualify for Weatherization Plus Health

Opportunity Council offers Weatherization Plus Health throughout Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties. To qualify the household:

Must have one household member with medically or self-diagnosed asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or other respiratory illnesses.
Meet income guidelines
Live in a single-family home, duplex, or mobile homes. Unfortunately, RVs, apartments, and triplexes are not currently covered.

Helping People & Community

Opportunity Council’s weatherization and home repair programs like Weatherization Plus Health benefit not just individual homeowners and families—they make a significant impact on all the communities we serve by contributing to all 5 of our key focus areas:

1. Housing & Homelessness

These programs improve the quality and safety of housing, helping to prevent homelessness and mitigate rising housing costs by preserving homes that already exist and reducing the threat of losing one’s home due to unaffordable repair costs.

2. Children & Families

We have a collective responsibility to care for our communities’ children; ensuring every family has a safe and healthy home is key to that responsibility. Weatherized homes are warmer in winter and cooler in summer and reduce the risk of health issues that come from mold, or unsafe living conditions. Combined, these allow for a more stable and healthier environment for children.

3. Job Skills & Financial Wellness

Weatherization and home repairs employ local contractors and service providers, creating job opportunities and supporting local businesses. Improving the energy efficiency of homes helps reduce utility bills for homeowners, freeing up resources that can be used for other home essentials and contributing to greater financial stability for households.

4. Basic Needs

Improved insulation and repair work contribute to lower energy costs and ensure that homes are resilient against extreme weather conditions, directly impacting residents’ ability to meet their basic needs for shelter and comfort.

5. Individual and Community Health

As the name implies, Weatherization Plus Health directly impacts homeowners’ health. Health benefits are a crucial benefit of these programs as a whole—both for individuals and the community. Weatherized homes have fewer issues related to poor indoor air quality, such as mold or excessive moisture. Safe and well-maintained homes also reduce the risk of injuries from hazards like faulty wiring or deteriorating structural elements. At a community level, healthier and more efficient homes contribute to overall public health by reducing the burden on healthcare systems and reducing carbon emissions.

Weatherization plus Health is one piece of Opportunity Council’s weatherization and home repair work that plays a vital role in enhancing housing stability, supporting families, creating local job opportunities, addressing basic needs, and promoting health. So, here’s to fresh, clean air, cozy homes, and the joy of making a difference. By supporting this work, you help individual homeowners and their families and strengthen the fabric of our community.

Together, we’re building a healthier, happier community—one home at a time.

Have questions or want to find out more about eligibility requirements? Call (360) 734-5121 x 1020 or email weatherization@nulloppco.org for more information.