 What Programs Exist to Help Low-Income and Senior Citizens Cope with Heating Problems this Winter?
By Jack Etzel
This may only be September, but we all know what’s coming next.
Freezing winter months can be a concern for anyone, but especially for
the poorest among us and older folks on fixed incomes. In this month’s
Perspective, we seek out the knowledge of a person repeatedly
recognized for her outstanding personal and professional achievements
and community contributions. She is Brenda Wells, the director of the
Western Region for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) for
the past 10 years. In this position, she is often in touch with, and
knows of, multiple programs that provide vital help to those who need
it most. North Hills Monthly Magazine (NHMM): How large is the area
that the PHFA serves in Pennsylvania? Brenda Wells: Our independent
state headquarters is located in Harrisburg, but the western
Pennsylvania office serves a large area. It extends from east of
Altoona, all the way to the western border of Ohio, as far north as
Erie and as far south as Greene County. We primarily locate and
provide the capital for construction and rehabilitation of affordable
housing for persons of low and moderate means, as well as senior
citizens and people with disabilities. But I know you want to learn
about programs to help people who must deal with the freezing weather
just around the corner, and we can certainly help you on that subject.
NHMM: One program that is not part of PHFA, but one with which you are
probably very familiar, is the Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Can we begin there? Brenda Wells:
LIHEAP is funded by the DPW, or the Department of Public Welfare. We
work closely with them. We certainly refer many folks to the LIHEAP
program because we know that program offers assistance to both
homeowners and tenants who pay for their own utilities, provided their
income allows them to receive LIHEAP assistance. NHMM: I assume that
you’re as concerned with preventive measures as you are in dealing
with crisis situations? Brenda Wells: Oh, we focus very much on
winterizing or weatherizing. We always consider whether a person’s
home is energy efficient. If the heat is going out the doors or
through the windows, it just doesn’t make any sense. As many of our
own financed construction tenants age, so do their buildings. We must
always be certain that the buildings are sustainable. In that regard,
we now include an energy audit. It’s important that a certified energy
auditor examines not only multiple housing units, but individual homes
as well, regardless of where a person lives. NHMM: The word ‘audit,’
like an IRS audit, might seem to be bad news. Is an energy audit a
good thing? Brenda Wells: (Smiling) I’m glad you asked that. It is
good news. It tests a home to locate how and where it’s losing energy,
and identifies the energy loss. An inspection by a certified energy
auditor can save a person a good deal of money down the road when
those deficiencies are corrected and repaired. NHMM: Who or what
agency is paying for this sort of thing? Brenda Wells: In the
housing that PHFA built or operates, we will pay up to half of the
cost. But anyone can contact LIHEAP and ask about weatherization. They
should also call their utility company and become aware of what is
available to them regarding audits, weatherization, and in some cases,
even ‘forgiveness’ on high heating bills. Many people remain unaware
of how the utility company can, and in most cases must, work with low-
and moderate-income people to avoid the dangers that winter can bring.
Not enough people think about contacting their utility company for
help. NHMM: What other help is out there?
Brenda Wells: I think it’s important for people to know that as of
the end of July of this year, the Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) received a substantial increase in weatherization
funds. It amounts to nearly $253 million coming from federal recovery
funds which will focus on helping low-income households decrease
energy consumption and costs. Using these funds, the state expects to
weatherize almost 30,000 housing units over the next two to three
years. Tenants and homeowners alike should learn more about this.
NHMM: We often hear about a genuine crisis in winter, say, a furnace
failing in the middle of freezing spell resulting in a tragedy of one
kind or another. Brenda Wells: In a true crisis, call the Allegheny
County Department of Human Services. This number should be kept where
everyone knows how to find it, whether on a refrigerator, or wherever
a person keeps the most important numbers in their house or apartment.
NHMM: Thanks, Brenda. That’s a lot of good advice. Brenda Wells:
Before we finish, I’d like to mention an organization right here in
the North Hills, called North Hills Community Outreach. They serve
families and individuals in the North Hills and have a reputation for
doing good things for the less fortunate. I’m aware that they offer
advice and help regarding financial problems, utility bills and a long
list of help for anyone who might feel that they don’t know where to
turn. They are well known for their food pantry, too. And perhaps best
of all, they charge no fees for their services. Where to call for
help:
Allegheny County Department
of Human Services 24-Hour Crisis Number: 800-851-3838 Department of
Community and Economic Development:
717-783-8950 or
www.dced.state.pa.us Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):
412-562-0330 North Hills Community Outreach: 412-487-6316
Pennsylvania Housing
Finance Agency:
412-429-2842 or www.phfa.org |
