THE PURPOSE OF THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) IS TO INCREASE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF HOMES OWNED OR OCCUPIED BY LOW-INCOME PERSONS, WHILE ALSO ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY. THE PRIORITY POPULATION FOR WAP IS THE ELDERLY, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, HIGH RESIDENTIAL USERS AND HOUSEHOLDS WITH HIGH ENERGY BURDEN. FORMULA GRANTS ARE PROVIDED TO 56 STATES, U.S. TERRITORIES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM, AND THESE GRANTEES CONTRACT WITH APPROXIMATELY 650 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT, TRIBES) FOR THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. WAP PROVIDES WHOLE-HOUSE RETROFITS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MINOR HOME REPAIRS, MECHANICAL MEASURES SUCH AS HVAC REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, INSULATION, AIR SEALING, ELECTRIC BASELOAD MEASURES SUCH AS LIGHTING AND REFRIGERATOR REPLACEMENT, AND HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES. NON-ENERGY BENEFITS SUCH AS IMPROVED HEALTH, SAFETY, AND COMFORT ARE ESPECIALLY BENEFICIAL TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE BEEN WEATHERIZED. AFTER WEATHERIZATION, LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SAVE ON AVERAGE OVER $300 ANNUALLY ON ENERGY COSTS.