Durham, NC — Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) has been awarded $10.7 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to lead a regional expansion of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), helping improve housing affordability, energy efficiency, and sustainability across Central North Carolina.
As the designated lead agency for Region 3 under the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s statewide implementation strategy, CPRC will oversee weatherization improvements for 912 single-family homes across 15 counties through June 2029.
The project is designed to support low-income residents facing rising housing and energy costs by installing proven conservation measures such as air sealing, attic insulation, and high-efficiency heating system upgrades. These improvements will create healthier, safer, and more affordable homes while lowering long-term energy use.
“This historic investment allows CPRC to make direct, tangible impacts on the lives of residents across Central North Carolina,” according to CPRC Housing Manager Hunter Fillers. “By growing our internal capacity and mobilizing a wide network of partners, we are ensuring this once in a generation opportunity translates into immediate cost savings and lasting safety for our communities.”
Beyond individual home improvements, the project advances statewide clean energy and sustainability goals by reducing residential energy demand and emissions.
The funding will also help address long-standing waitlists for weatherization services, which are often administered by local governments and community organizations with limited annual resources.
“Central Pines, through its Board leadership, has made housing a top organizational priority. Our standing as a trusted regional entity will allow our staff to quickly engage and deliver results. Our staff and partners are to be congratulated for this historic investment,” says Central Pines Executive Director Lee Worsley.
In addition, the initiative will support workforce development through training and certification partnerships that expand clean energy employment opportunities and technical skills across the region.
To successfully deliver the program, CPRC will expand internal capacity with certified energy auditors and inspectors while building a strong regional network of subcontractors and partner organizations.
Media Contact:
Beth Seidel
Member Engagement Coordinator
919-558-2712
bseidel@centralpinesnc.gov
About Central Pines Regional Council
For more than five decades, Central Pines Regional Council has been educating and empowering local governments through direct assistance, regional planning, and technical expertise. As a resource and support hub for local governments, community members, and partners across Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, and Wake counties, we believe that our region thrives when we come together with a common vision and plan for the future. Our work fosters constructive conversations and drives long-term change in our community to ensure our region is thriving, equitable, connected and resilient.
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