On July 8, 2020, the County received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development to provide energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to county residents who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the CARES Act Program Contract under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP). Energy saving measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, energy-saving light bulbs, weather stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. Homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage and are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm. Residents can also qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides a credit on their energy bills. First priorities are for income eligible households that have suffered an employment impact in meeting their home energy needs, particularly those that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy and whose household includes a member of the Vulnerable Populations defined as elderly individuals, disabled individuals or children five years and under. Second priority are to those households which have the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income. The funding is to help prevent, prepare for, or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board approved the original agreement on September 22, 2020 (C.29). This board order is to extend the term end date from April 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021 with no change in Contract amount.
If not approved, County may not be able to continue the operations of the CARES Act Program Contract for LIHEAP.
The LIHEAP funding supports one of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card, #4 "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing" by the provision of home energy assistance to keep households warm in winter and to increase household energy efficiency.