By Princess Safiya Byers Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service Published Feb 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM

Everett Lancaster is one of several people who can get his basement insulated for free through the 2025 Basement Grant/Rebate Program.

The program provides an energy assessment that shows how to reduce energy use by 20% or more and assists people in getting any necessary work done if eligible.

On Wednesday, Feb.19, Green Homeowners United hosted an event to urge local homeowners and renters to use the grant to cut heating bills and improve home comfort.

“With the uncertainty surrounding federal funds, this is a call to action for people to take advantage of this program now,” said Deneine Powell of Forward Together Wisconsin, a nonprofit that focuses on climate and infrastructure investments.

How to apply

Lancaster said all he had to do was call.

“I called these guys up, got my assessment done and work done,” he said. “All I had to do was provide proof of income.”

You can call 414-604-6450 or go to the website to start your process.

The program is available to both homeowners and renters in southeastern Wisconsin, said  Kevin Kane, the chief economist of Green Homeowners United.

Eligibility

The program is open to homeowners and renters who have lived in their single-family homes for over a year.

Qualified people must make less than 80% of the area median income, which is $57,200 for one-person households.

You also can not be behind on property taxes or in foreclosure or bankruptcy.

For renters to take advantage of the program, it must be with the consent of the landlord.

“As a protection to tenants, we ask landlords to agree not to evict tenants for at least a year after work is completed,” said Kane. “We don’t want anyone to take advantage of the system.”

The process

Kane said after the initial energy assessment work usually takes about a day with the right team.

“It’s a pretty quick process,” he said. “We don’t want to intrude on people’s lives.”

To learn more about this program, look here.

Other resources

Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy partners with service providers to connect Wisconsin residents and businesses to affordable energy efficiency services. The program offers free energy-saving packs annually. All households, apartments included, are eligible for a free pack that has things like efficient LED lights, water-saving shower heads and a weatherization pack that helps you get your home ready for winter.

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program assists eligible households with their heating and electric bills. Eligible families must make less than 60% of the median state income. 

Weatherization Assistance Program

The program provides energy conservation services in eligible households to help reduce home energy costs and save energy. The program covers work like insulation, sealing air leaks and repairing or replacing inefficient furnaces or other appliances.

Milwaukee County Energy Program

The Energy Assistance Program provides qualified Milwaukee County residents with a one-time, annual payment toward heating and electric bills. How much assistance you receive depends on your household size, income and energy costs and goes directly to the energy supplier.