S 1342119th CongressIn Committee

Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2025

Introduced: Apr 8, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2025 would overhaul parts of the federal Weatherization Assistance Program by creating a new Weatherization Readiness Fund. This fund would provide states with money to repair structural defects or hazards in low-income housing so that energy efficiency weatherization measures can be installed. The bill also raises and broadens the per-dwelling-unit funding limits for weatherization, allows the per-unit amount to be increased if market conditions require, and makes related conforming changes to program definitions. Collectively, these changes aim to reduce barriers to weatherization by addressing upfront housing defects and by enabling larger, more flexible funding per unit.

Key Points

1Weatherization Readiness Fund created under Section 414: A new fund from which states can receive money to repair structural defects or hazards in dwellings occupied by low-income residents that prevent weatherization.
2Use of funds: States must use readiness funds to remediate defects so weatherization measures can be installed.
3Funding level: Authorization of $30,000,000 per fiscal year for 2026-2030 to carry out the Weatherization Readiness Fund, in addition to existing appropriations.
4Higher per-unit funding: The state average cost per unit limit is increased (from $6,500 to $15,000 as the baseline, with adjustments across related provisions) to reflect higher costs for readying units for weatherization.
5Flexibility to exceed limits: The Secretary may increase the amount of financial assistance per dwelling unit beyond the established limit if market conditions require to achieve the program’s goals.
6Definitions and scope updates: The program shifts to emphasize “fully weatherized” units (instead of partially weatherized) and makes related conforming amendments to cross-referenced statutes to align with the new framework.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Low-income households in participating states, whose dwellings currently have defects or hazards that block weatherization and who would benefit from structural repairs enabling energy efficiency upgrades.Secondary group/area affected: State and local weatherization agencies, contractors, and suppliers involved in performing weatherization and pre-weatherization repairs; program administrators.Additional impacts: Potential increases in upfront project costs and project timelines due to required repairs; expanded funding authority and flexibility may influence state planning, budgeting, and the scale of weatherization activities; potential effects on energy efficiency outcomes and greenhouse gas emissions from more units being weatherized.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 31, 2025