Monroe County officials have taken the reins of a federal grant that will provide up to $936,000 to help low-income residents weatherize their homes and lower their monthly energy costs.

The Bahama Conch Community Land Trust had been named as the lead agency for the weatherization program in July, but state program coordinators in November terminated the nonprofit's involvement due to "inactivity."

The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which collects the federal funds and then distributes them within Florida, had to find another organization or government entity to administer the grant. DCA selected Monroe County Social Services as the new lead agency.

Sheryl Graham, the county's director of social services, said she and others will meet in January with DCA representatives, who will conduct training in the grant application procedures.

Weatherization funds are reserved for residents who meet certain income guidelines. The grant allows an expenditure of up to $6,500 per household on energy-saving measures, meaning at least 144 Florida Keys homes will receive some type of weatherization assistance.

Projects range from simple caulking and weather-stripping around windows to more involved measures such as the addition of attic insulation, installation of a solar reflective coating to manufactured homes, and the repair or replacement of air-conditioners and water heaters.

The grant process, which Graham said she plans to start in February, is tedious and laden with paperwork, but the county is prepared to handle the demands, as it has been coordinating the statewide Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LHEAP) for several years.

That program provides financial assistance to help low-income residents pay their energy bills. It does not provide any weatherization improvements. But the two programs will complement each other, Graham said.

"We never have enough LHEAP money to serve everyone," she said. "But now, as people's energy bills are lowered, there will be more money available to help more people."

She also is waiting for the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust to turn over some equipment it had received as part of the weatherization program when it was the lead agency. As of Wednesday, Graham had not received the equipment.

The land trust also may have to return $39,000 it received from the state for weatherization projects. That repayment is included on the long list of debts the nonprofit owes, which total about $1.7 million.

The failing organization is operating with a volunteer board, no employees and almost no money. Board members are concerned about tenants living in the houses owned by the land trust. Some of those properties are facing foreclosure, and the board wants to ensure the tenants are not displaced.

mbolen@keysnews.com