HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor recently released a performance audit of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), highlighting areas needing enhancement in program oversight. Conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development (DCED), the audit outlined three key findings and offered 20 recommendations to better serve low-income residents seeking home repairs.
The audit, covering July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023, evaluated DCED’s management of WAP, focusing on the local agencies’ waiting list management, monitoring procedures for service quality, legal compliance, and effective use of weatherization funds. While some improvements from the previous audit were noted, significant issues remain.
Key findings include the necessity for further improvements in managing waiting lists, insufficient completion of required quality inspections on weatherized homes, and the return of $8.5 million in unused federal funds during the audit period. These findings suggest that while progress has been made, more robust oversight is required to maximize the program’s impact.
WAP, a federally funded initiative, aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households by enhancing energy efficiency through services like duct installation, heating pipe repairs, cooling system maintenance, and air sealing. The program leverages funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to carry out these essential services.
Auditor General DeFoor emphasized the need for continued improvements, stating, “Our auditors found improvements from the previous audit period; however, more needs to be done to ensure Pennsylvania citizens have the assistance they need to live in safe homes.” The recommendations provided are intended to help DCED extend its reach to more low-income Pennsylvanians in need of home repair support.
The audit underscores the importance of ensuring effective management and oversight of vital programs like WAP, crucial for aiding vulnerable populations in accessing safer and more energy-efficient living conditions.
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