WAP is a federally funded program that delivers free energy efficiency services to low-income Michigan households. It is administered by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), delivered through Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in every county in the state, and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and LIHEAP.
For contractors, WAP is a publicly funded, year-round work pipeline — no leads to generate, no customer financing to arrange. The CAA handles intake and eligibility. You show up, do the work, and get paid by the agency.
WAP is an energy conservation program. The work is scoped to reduce energy use and improve comfort in the home — not to repair or renovate it.
Eligible services include:
WAP does not cover structural repairs — roofs, windows, doors, plumbing, or electrical work. If those issues are present and unresolved, the unit may be deferred. Contractors working WAP jobs should not expect to scope out of those categories or add work to the invoice. Clear scope boundaries before the job starts.
Eligibility is based on household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines — a higher threshold than MiHER's 80% AMI cutoff for Enhanced rebates. WAP also grants automatic eligibility to households receiving SNAP, SSI, certain MDHHS assistance programs, and LIHEAP.
Both homeowners and renters qualify. Renters require landlord permission before work begins.
MDHHS contracts directly with local CAAs, who then subcontract trade work to licensed mechanical and insulation contractors. To work in the program:
Once contracted, the agency assigns homes from its waitlist. Work is scoped by a certified WAP inspector who performs a blower door test, combustion appliance safety test, and health and safety walkthrough before installation begins. A certified quality control inspector verifies completed work before the CAA approves payment.
Wayne Metro Community Action Agency serves Detroit and the majority of Wayne County.
WAP extends your work calendar. Construction and HVAC seasonality creates gaps — particularly in late fall and early spring. WAP provides consistent volume in those gaps because low-income households have year-round need and the program funds flow continuously.
Contractors already doing insulation, HVAC, or air sealing work for MiHER or DTE/Consumers utility rebate programs often overlap significantly with WAP eligibility criteria. Building a CAA relationship alongside your MiHER registration puts the same crews on publicly funded jobs regardless of which program the household qualifies for.
MDHHS notes that WAP contractors who meet DOE training standards often qualify for related program work across multiple agencies statewide.
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Statewide WAP program info | michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/weatherization |
| Contractor participation | michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/weatherization/prospective-contractors |
| Wayne County / Detroit operator | Wayne Metro Community Action Agency — waynemetro.org/weatherization |