WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Tribal Weatherization ProjectNASCSP September 2011

Purpose

• Develop government to government relationships with tribes in support of the Centennial Accord• Facilitate – between tribes and local community

action (CAP) weatherization providers to increase service to tribes• Develop technical abilities within the tribes that

will supplement our efforts of energy conservation through weatherization

Partners

• 29 Federally recognized tribesVarying in size from 200 + members on a few acres to

12,000 members and 1.5 million + acres

• 25 Local Community Action Programs provide weatherization services to 39 counties

Method

• Explore ideas• Enhance partnerships with local providers• Identify unique service delivery• Provide training for tribal staff• Client education• Establish Tribal Weatherization Focus Group

Tribal Weatherization Focus Group 2010

Tribal Mobile Home Training

Technical Assistance

Tribal crew training

Tribe, Local Agency & State

TANF Work Experience

Results

• Increased relationships between tribes and local agencies• 3 Tribes with sustainable weatherization

programs• 17 Green Jobs created on reservations for

management, professional, and crew• 127 additional units weatherized on reservations• Tribes incorporating weatherization into new

construction

Weatherization in New Construction

Results for families

• Weatherize once, save for years• Improved indoor air quality• Sustainable low-income housing

Challenges

• Staffing Time & Travel• Establishing Relationships• Local Agency/Tribal Histories• Tribal/State politics• “Trust me, I’m here from the Government”• Geographic/logistical • Committed Funding

What’s required?

• Commitment to resources for funding and staffing• Develop relationships• Focus on Program first• Resist Urge to teach technical first• A well managed program will ensure good

technical• Patience - Start small and grow

Why we do it…

Thank You

For more information contactEunice Herren, Tribal Liaison for Weatherization

(360) 725-2949eunice.herren@commerce.wa.gov