By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Officials who manage the state's Weatherization Assistance Program say budget cuts mean about 200 fewer elderly and low-income residents will be helped this year.
The federal program is managed by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and assisted 781 homeowners last year.
Spokesman Jim Plott says only about 500 people will get help this year because the program's budget was slashed by 21 percent.
Alabama received about $2-point-15 (m) million dollars for the program this year, which is about $500,000 less than the amount for 2006.
Homeowners save an average of about $358 in energy costs annually after getting help with weatherproofing their homes.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)