ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – For many families, the cost of weatherizing their homes isn’t just challenging – it’s impossible.
And as Northeast Florida braces for freezing temperatures, Bill Lazar knows his phone will be ringing.
“They just have very limited means,” Lazar, Executive Director of St. Johns Housing Partnership, said. “With this cold weather coming, that’s when it really becomes noticeable for somebody who hasn’t had a good functioning air conditioning system.”
For nearly three decades, Lazar and his team have been a lifeline for fixed- and low-income residents across Clay and St. Johns Counties. Through their weatherization program, they provide up to thousands of dollars worth of repairs for free to qualifying low-income households.
The impact of their work extends far beyond comfort.
“What always happens is when you can’t properly heat or cool a place, it has an impact on someone’s health,” Lazar explained. “Then you start running into ‘if I could have fixed that, I wouldn’t be in the hospital, I wouldn’t have respiratory challenges.’”
The organization operates off of state and local funding as well as individual donations. Lazar said even small improvements can transform lives.
“Think of it like blowing up a balloon,” he said, referring to a house. “You pinch it off, and the air stays inside. If it’s got little holes in it, then slowly the balloon leaks out, and that’s like your dollars going out the window.”
These “leaks” aren’t just inconvenient – they can force impossible choices between staying warm and other necessities.
Lazar said the program has helped some residents reduce their monthly electric bills by nearly $100.
“That’s what makes it worthwhile, just because you gave that person something, just that much more money for groceries, medication, cost of living type stuff, which is so tight for everybody these days,” Lazar said.
Beyond financial savings, proper weatherization significantly impacts residents’ health by reducing mold, mildew, and pollen infiltration.
For Lazar and his team, each repair represents more than just fixing a home – it’s about restoring dignity and security to their neighbors in need.
“What does it take to make someone who’s worked all their lives just comfortable,” Lazar said. “Not talking about living in a Cadillac, just talking about decent, safe and sanitary.”
To learn more about the St. Johns Housing Partnership’s weatherization program or to find out if you qualify for assistance, call 904-824-0902 or visit www.sjhp.org . For residents outside Clay and St. Johns Counties, visit the Department of Commerce website for more information.