Broomfield offers housing rehab, weatherization

Residents can apply for low-interest loans
for home maintenance and energy efficiency 

Broomfield’s Housing Authority announces two new housing services for low- to moderate-income residents: the Housing Rehabilitation Program and the Weatherization Program. Broomfield is collaborating with Longs Peak Energy Conservation, a division of Boulder County, to provide residents an opportunity to maintain their home and increase their home’s energy-efficiency. To qualify, households must meet income requirements and other guidelines. 

The Housing Rehabilitation Program, funded through the Colorado Division of Housing, is offered to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income single-family households in Broomfield. It is designed to eliminate health and safety concerns, address energy efficiency issues, and correct code violations in the areas of electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and flooring.

·      Assistance up to $25,000 is provided in the form of a loan, at an interest rate of 3 to 5 percent, based on income.

·      Participants must own and occupy their home as their primary residence.

·      Additionally, small grants may be provided for repairs necessary to address an immediate threat to the household’s health and safety. 

Longs Peak’s Director, Amy Hollander, hopes that families will utilize the program as an alternative to additional mortgage debt at high interest rates in order to improve the health and safety and energy efficiency of their homes. “These low-interest loans offer fixed rates that will never change for the borrower. And, they can only be used for improving the safety and energy efficiency of the home. A 3 to 5 percent loan is a great deal for a low- or moderate-income household, and if it brings down energy costs for that family, they’ll end up saving money every month.”

The Weatherization Program is offering completely free grants to lower a household’s energy consumption from 11 to 35 percent and address health and safety concerns in the home. This program is made possible through the State of Colorado’s Energy Savings Partners Program. 

The scope of the work includes:

·      Safety checks for carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks

·      Insulation to walls, ceilings and crawl spaces

·      Furnace replacements, tune-ups, repairs

·      Sealants for outside air leaks and leaky duct work

·      Replacements for inefficient refrigerators

·      Energy conservation information to the homeowner about reducing utility bills

 Eligible properties for the weatherization program include single-family homes, multi-family dwelling units, and mobile homes. 

Leslie Gibson, Broomfield’s Housing Manager, sees the weatherization program as beneficial on a number of levels. “There are only advantages to this program. The work is provided for free, energy consumption is reduced, safety issues in the home are addressed, utility bills are lowered, and the household’s demand on the environment is decreased,” she said 

For more information and to obtain an application, please contact Carlene Hatch-Linares at Longs Peak Energy Conservation at 303/441-1716 or chatchlinares@co.boulder.co.us, or visit  www.co.boulder.co.us/cs/ho/weatherization.