ICAST may, at its own discretion, defer weatherization work on otherwise eligible units on a case-by-case basis. The determination will be based on the ICAST Safety Manual which considers the health and safety of staff, subcontractors, and clients.
The ICAST deferral policy is based on the New Mexico Energy$mart Field Program Manual implemented by MFA. ICAST may defer or postpone weatherization services when certain conditions exist.
ICAST may postpone weatherization services under the following conditions:
- A dwelling unit is vacant.
- A dwelling unit is for sale.
- A dwelling unit is scheduled for demolition.
- A dwelling proves to be dilapidated or structurally unsound and unsafe.
(Dilapidated units are classified as those which do not provide decent, safe and sanitary shelter in their present state and have defects so serious and numerous that the repairs required to revive the structure to standard condition would not be economically feasible.)
- A dwelling unit is deemed by the auditor to pose a threat to the health or safety of the crew or contractor.
- A mobile home is improperly installed (for example, without adequate supports).
- A dwelling unit is uninhabitable (for example, a burned-out apartment).
- A building is affected by mold and mildew and the area affected is too large for the weatherization crew or contractor to remediate.
- The client is uncooperative with the weatherization agency or its contracted agent, either in demanding that certain work be done, refusing higher priority work which is needed, being abusive to the work crew or contractor, or being unreasonable in allowing access to the unit. Every attempt should be made to explain the program and the benefits of the work. If this fails, work should be suspended and MFA should be consulted. In such cases, documentation is required.
- Obvious discrepancies are found between the information supplied by the client on the application and observed conditions at the time of weatherization. The agency or contractor must resolve these discrepancies before weatherization work can continue.
- If, at any time prior to the beginning of work (work officially begins when the audit is performed), the agency or contractor determines that the client is no longer eligible or personnel believe that circumstances may have changed, the unit shall not be weatherized until updated information can be obtained from the client.
- There are rats, bats, roaches, reptiles, insects or other animals or pests that are inadequately or not properly contained on the premises.
- There are health or safety hazards that must be corrected before weatherization services may begin including, but not limited to: The presence of animal feces and/or other excrement; disconnected waste water pipes; hazardous electrical wiring; unsafe levels of mold or mildew; unvented combustion appliances; actionable levels of ambient carbon monoxide; there are illegal drugs or illegal activities occurring on the premises; the client or owner is physically or verbally abusive to any personnel; the dwelling unit or parts thereof are being remodeled and weatherization work is not coordinated with a housing rehabilitation program; the eligible household moves from the dwelling unit where weatherization activities and services are in progress. In such a case, the agency or contractor must determine whether to complete the work and the circumstances must be documented in the client file; one or more occupants in a dwelling have been diagnosed with a contagious and life-threatening disease; when a person's health may be at risk and/or the work activities could constitute a health and safety hazard, the occupant at risk will be required to take appropriate action based on the severity of the risk. Failure or the inability to take appropriate actions must result in deferral of the weatherization work.
In unusual situations not covered above or where other problems of a unique nature exist, MFA should be consulted.
Deferral/Postponement Procedure: If ICAST cannot, or will not, weatherize a dwelling unit, it will provide the client and owner or authorized agent with written notification of the deferral including why work is being deferred or postponed. Notification may include:
- The nature and extent of the problem(s) and how the problem(s) relate(s) to the determination not to weatherize the unit.
- Any corrective action required before weatherization services can be initiated.
- A time limit for correcting problems so that weatherization services may be rescheduled.
- The name of the person or entity responsible for correcting the problem(s).
- The right of appeal.
Documentation justifying the decision to postpone or defer will be maintained in the client file.