(AUSTIN) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (“TDHCA”) has announced that it has contracted with the Greater East Texas Community Action Program (‘GETCAP”) to provide a key energy assistance program to income-eligible residents of nine East Texas counties.

The Nacogdoches-based nonprofit will administer the state housing agency’s Weatherization Assistance Program (“WAP”) in Harrison, Jasper, Newton, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Tyler, and Upshur counties.

WAP helps low-income households reduce their energy costs through the installation of weatherization materials and minor home repairs, saving more of the household’s income for other necessities. Because the benefits of weatherization can last 15-20 years, the program also has the potential to reduce the household’s dependency on other forms of assistance, leading to greater self-sufficiency.

Weatherization services typically involves caulking; weather-stripping; the addition of ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; patching holes in the building envelope; duct work; and the tune-up, repair, or replacement of inefficient heating and cooling systems.

“TDHCA is pleased to partner with GETCAP and provide this important service which makes such a positive impact on the lives of thousands of Texans each year,” said TDHCA Executive Director Tim Irvine. “GETCAP has the experience and know-how to administer this program, and we are certain its staff will provide timely, quality customer service to their clients in need.”

Households in this nine-county area had been without WAP services since the nonprofit agency previously serving the region relinquished its contract with TDHCA last year.

To qualify for assistance, households cannot earn more than 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, which for a family of four equals an annual income of $48,600, and meet certain program priorities. For more information regarding GETCAP and this program, please contact the agency directly at 1-800-621-5746.