Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 8, 1993 TAG: 9309080275
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
In a statement, Weitzenfeld said the program is in the midst of "a very serious funding crisis," and there's not enough money in its current contract from the Department of Housing and Community Development to operate for a full 12 months.
The weatherization program fixes faulty or dangerous heating systems and improves home insulation and weatherstripping to reduce energy costs for homeowners who have low incomes.
The program received $120,000 for this year, which began July 1. That's down from $206,000 last year and $400,000 in 1991.
"We're going to run as long as we can," Weitzenfeld vowed Friday.
But he's not standing still, either. Weitzenfeld said his program will fight back - with apple butter.
Next month, the program will go into the apple-butter business to keep itself afloat a while longer. Program staffers will be making apple butter Oct. 8 and selling it the next day in front of the new First National Bank of Christiansburg branch in Riner.
The program also plans to raffle a handmade quilt the same day.
The proceeds will help stretch the remaining funds, but Weitzenfeld concedes it won't really make a big budget impact.
Weitzenfeld said the New River program is not alone in Virginia in its budget woes.
"Most programs in the state will be shutting down early this year. That's never happened before."
He said the loss in funds will mean "a lot of important services will be gone."
Five jobs will be gone, too.
Virginia used to receive about $10 million in federal funds each year. The amount has dropped to around $3.5 million this year.
As Weitzenfeld explains, the program's budget has been dwindling slowly over the years as millions of dollars set aside from a settlement with oil companies over windfall profits during the 1970s have been used up.
Weitzenfeld said the settlement money had accounted for about 60 percent of the weatherization programs' budgets.
"That money's gone," he said, and the state has not stepped in to make up the difference.
Weitzenfeld said the need remains, however, and the New River program has a waiting list of 400 homes, plus another 100 already certified for work.
He and other program officials have been working with state lawmakers "trying to get them to understand the crisis," he said. He predicted the impact on low-income residents "will be devastating."
In an attempt to make up for the declining dollars, the New River Community Action program has moved into profit-making ventures. The program operates New River Energy Conservation Services, which sells high-efficiency wood-burning stoves and also does energy audits, heating-system safety inspections and chimney relining.
For a fee, the program also does audits for Energy Rated Homes of Virginia, which provides ratings for individuals who want energy-efficient mortgages.
While he's optimistic about their success, Weitzenfeld said none of the program's commercial ventures is turning a profit yet.
He doesn't expect to see a whole lot of money from selling apple butter next month either.
"It's the idea," he said, explaining that one of the program's clients suggested it.
"We used to be a $10 million organization. Now, we're reduced to selling apple butter."
more information on the New River Community Action weatherization program, call 382-1975.
by CNB