Where people live matters. The condition of a person’s home can affect their health and quality of life. Housing is a top health priority identified in the 2021–22 State Health Assessment. In Iowa, the most common housing challenge is housing cost burden, which means a household spends more than 30% of its income on housing. When people spend a large share of their income on housing, they have less money to make repairs that improve health and safety. These repairs include fixing water leaks, improving ventilation, or replacing outdated heating, cooling or plumbing systems.

About 319,000 Iowa households face housing cost burden. Households with lower incomes are even more likely to face this challenge (HHS System Iowa Snapshot). This month we're highlighting how the Iowa Weatherization Assistance Program helps thousands of Iowans each year make their homes healthier, safer, and more energy efficient.

Launched in 1976 amid the nation’s oil crisis, the federal Low-income Weatherization Assistance Program was part of a bold national effort to conserve energy and reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil. Today, it stands as the country’s premier residential energy initiative by improving homes, reducing energy bills, and strengthening communities.

Iowa’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), Division of Community Access and Eligibility, Community Action Agencies Unit. With funding provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the three largest investor-owned utilities (Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, and MidAmerican Energy), the program works in partnership with local agencies to bring energy savings directly to the doorsteps of low-income households.

At its heart, weatherization is about making homes safer, healthier, and more efficient. Skilled, highly trained technicians use advanced diagnostic tools to uncover hidden energy issues, such as drafty air leaks, inefficient appliances, or outdated heating systems. Each WAP participant receives a computerized energy audit of their home to identify the most cost‑effective improvements.

Common upgrades include:

  • Attic and wall insulation
  • Blower door-guided air sealing
  • Furnace repairs, tune-ups, or replacements
  • Water heater repairs or replacements
  • Energy‑efficient refrigerators and freezers
  • LED lighting, low‑flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and pipe insulation

These upgrades may sound technical, but their impacts are simple: lower energy bills, improved comfort, and a safer environment for the families who need it most. Each year, the Iowa Weatherization Assistance Program serves approximately 1,000 households  across the state, helping thousands of Iowans live in safer, more efficient homes.

Energy efficiency isn’t the only priority. The program includes a strong health and safety component designed to identify serious risks such as carbon monoxide, combustion appliance back-drafting, and excessive moisture. When unsafe furnaces or water heaters are found, they are repaired or replaced, sometimes preventing life‑threatening situations.

Weatherization services are available to both income-qualified homeowners and renters. Priority is given to:

  • Older adults (age 60 and older)
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Households with young children (under the age of six)

Before work begins in rental units, landlords sign an agreement to support the process and maintain the improvements.

Fifty years after its creation, the Weatherization Assistance Program continues to enhance the well-being of vulnerable Iowans. By reducing utility costs, improving home comfort, and addressing health risks, the program helps residents achieve greater stability and independence. What  started as an energy conservation effort, is now a powerful tool for protecting health, promoting equity, and strengthening communities—one home at a time.

Getting started is simple. Whether you’re looking for more information or ready to apply, resources are just a phone call or click away. Visit the Iowa HHS Weatherization Assistance Program webpage or call 515-281-3861 to learn about eligibility, the application process, and local agencies that can help guide you through each step.

Click to view the website for Benton County.