The board initially approved receipt of funding for 2015-16 on January 13, 2015. The board later approved receipt of additional funding on May 12, 2015 and again on November 3, 2015. The board approved a third amendment on December 15, 2015. This board order is for a fourth amendment to extend the term limit and to decrease the payment limit by $75,440 as the Department of Conservation and Development was unable to secure a contractor that would install the toilet retrofit program for the amount allocated by the state.  
  
Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 20 years wherein the county provides energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to county residents who are income-eligible to receive said services. The funding sources include Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), and the Department of Energy (DOE).  
  
The Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) is the fiscal recipient. EHSD, in turn, partners with the county Department of Conservation and Development to provide energy saving home improvements to low-income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s nineteen cities.   
  
Services may include hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, fluorescent light bulbs, weather stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.  
  
The funding also includes the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) where residents of the County can qualify for a credit on their energy bills.  
  
Both programs use income based eligibility. The income levels are based on the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Poverty Guidelines. Once eligibility is determined, clients with no hot water, no heat, or are in danger of having their power shut off are served as emergencies. Service is then based on clients with the lowest income, highest energy burden and families with at least one resident who is considered vulnerable population.  
  

If not approved, County may not receive funding to operate LIHEAP.

The Employment & Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau energy program supports one Contra Costa County community outcome - Outcome #4: "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing." This outcome is supported by the provision of home energy assistance to keep households warm in winter and to increase household energy efficiency.