Grant open for local nonprofits to help homeowners replace old appliances

The Athens-Clarke County Sustainability Department is accepting grant applications from local nonprofit organizations for a $177,000 energy-efficiency appliance replacement initiative.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, the project helps income-qualified local homeowners replace aging home appliances with energy-efficient models.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Selected nonprofit organizations will serve as subgrantees to oversee appliance replacement projects in Athens-Clarke County. Participating nonprofits will work directly with eligible homeowners to verify income status, conduct home assessments, coordinate necessary weatherization and manage the installation of energy-efficient equipment. Individual homeowners cannot apply directly to the county government for the program.

The initiative targets owner-occupied, single-family homes with appliances that are 12 years old or older. To qualify for assistance through a subgrantee, households must have an income at or below 80% of the area median income established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The area median income threshold varies based on household size. For fiscal year 2026, HUD set the Athens-Clarke County area median income at $100,100 for a four-person household and $80,100 for a two-person household. Under HUD guidelines, a four-person household qualifies for low-income assistance if earning below $80,100.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Georgia man hit with $17K cruise ship bill after visit to onboard doctor
• Hundreds of pounds of meth, fentanyl landed Georgia drug kingpin behind bars
• Georgia Insurance Commissioner-elect lays out plan to tackle rising premiums

Eligible 501(c)(three) nonprofits can apply online using the submission form. The deadline to submit applications is Dec. 23, at 11:59 p.m.

Complete funding documentation, including the Notice of Funding Opportunity and informational flyers, is available on the website or by contacting department staff at 706-613-3138 or [email protected].

County Sustainability Department staff will conduct an online question-and-answer session about the application process on Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. Prospective nonprofit applicants can join the informational webinar online through www.accgov.com/green.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]