 What Heating Programs are Available to Help North Hills’
Residents this Winter?
By Jack Etzel
As we head into the fall and winter months, most of us are likely
thinking about, and sometimes dreading, the colder weather. Before any
more news stories surface about someone found shivering in a home with
no heat, or a tragedy caused by a fire from some makeshift attempt to
keep warm, or a person actually freezing to death, it would be wise to
learn about what low-income heating programs are available to help.
North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO), a predominately volunteer
organization, is dedicated to a vision where no one is cold, hungry or
alone. NHCO maintains locations in Hampton, Millvale, O’Hara, Pine and
North Boroughs. It was in Millvale that we spoke with Outreach Manager
Maria Christina.
North Hills Monthly Magazine (NHMM): Let’s first get past the
sometimes ugly image of being a bunch of do-gooders who are in favor of
giving handouts to people who won’t support themselves…
Maria Christina: The truth is, if that was the way it worked, our
job would be a lot easier and much less rewarding. Our goal is not
about handouts, but instead, stems from a holistic approach of helping
individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. We are routinely
faced with people who need help, but who often find it embarrassing or
for other reasons are reluctant to seek help. We understand and respect
a sense of pride, but none of us gets through life without some type of
assistance or advice. That’s especially relevant when addressing the
needs of people in crisis, hardship or poverty.
NHMM: How many people in the North Hills have a problem affording
both food and heat, especially in the winter?
MC: Our own statistics, as of our last fiscal year ending on June
30, show that we helped nearly 5,700 families. You might also like to
know that the two top reasons that families have availed themselves of
our help have consistently been for hunger and utility assistance. The
month of September is the beginning of our utility assistance season.
NHMM: What are the main problems? I assume that every home has a
furnace, right?
MC: Everyone does not have a furnace. And, even if they do, along
with the winter months come heating bills. Many have been struggling or
unable to pay their bills even before winter. Some individuals who
didn’t need gas for the spring and summer months have had the gas
turned off.
NHMM: Where do you even start to help people in these situations?
MC: Generally, we’re able to help people in a couple of ways. Our
utility specialist who works out of the Millvale office is also a
Duquesne Light CAP Manager. CAP stands for Customer Assistance Program.
So, people who have Duquesne Light electric service can call our office
to determine whether they qualify for the Cap Program. For those who
qualify, an income-based discount can be offered to help those
struggling with their monthly utility bills. Most utility companies
have a similar assistance program.
In our winter season, October through April, various grants are
available to help people with their heating bills. LIHEAP, which stands
for Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program, is a state-funded
grant for heating costs. Another facet of LIHEAP is their crisis
program. If someone has no heat because it was turned off, or has no
fuel, or has broken or leaking equipment, the crisis program can make a
one-time payment to fix the problem.
There’s also the Dollar Energy Grant program. The Dollar Energy
Grant program is a privately funded grant that works with western
Pennsylvania’s major utility companies to assist low-income customers
with a one-time winter grant to maintain or restore service. All of
this can become very confusing, and that’s why we suggest that people
call our office. Our volunteers are trained to answer any questions
about qualifying for the programs and what’s available while
simplifying the whole process. Of course, anyone can check this or any
other type of help online.
NHMM: Provided they have a computer.
MC: Individuals are welcome to come here and use our computer
lab to check on utility programs or any other types of assistance
programs that may apply.
NHMM: One thing worse than being cold in the winter is being cold
and hungry, right?
MC: That’s exactly why we always try to assist families
holistically. We maintain two food pantries in the North Hills. Let’s
say that a person has lost his job, and will soon be facing heating
bills and is already concerned about how to feed his children. That
person may well be unaware of the programs for which he qualifies and
may not know that we offer a volunteer employment coach to help people
spruce up their resumes, or create their first ones. We help people
learn how to navigate this changing employment landscape.
We attempt to uncover some needs that aren’t being met: that, for
one reason or another have not been mentioned on a form, but surface in
our interview with that person because it wasn’t foremost in his
mind.
NHMM: In these relatively uncertain economic times, do you see a
difference in the number of people seeking help?
MC: It’s obvious that this past year, we’ve seen more families
coming in for first-time assistance. This is precisely why we need even
more volunteers of any age and any background. I can personally attest
to the fact it’s a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.
To volunteer, or to find out more about programs provided through
North Hills Community Outreach, call 412-487-6316, email help@nhco.org
or visit www.nhco.org.
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