MONTGOMERY – North Alabama agencies will be able to help low-income households with energy costs thanks to grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Gov. Kay Ivey awarded nearly $44.5 million to 18 community agencies – including six in the Tennessee Valley – that provide emergency assistance to help cover the costs of staying warm during the winter and cool during the summer.
“Unfortunately, there are times when some Alabama families must decide between paying utility costs and other essential expenses like buying medicine and groceries,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these funds to provide temporary assistance to keep families from having to make decisions that could jeopardize their health and welfare particularly during the winter and summer months.”
The funding will be distributed through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Community action agencies accept applications at the local level from residents seeking assistance.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In October, Gov. Ivey awarded an additional $1 million in federal funds to support the LIHEAP program.
“Each year this program aids numerous Alabamians who find themselves in a position requiring temporary assistance, and the need is always great,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of these funds that will help those most in need.”
The funding allocations announced today may not be immediately available at the local level. Application periods are determined by each community agency.
- Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc.: $1.55 million. (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale) 256-764-5142, caanw.org.
- Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties Inc.: $3 million. (Limestone, Madison) 256-907-1550, caa-htsval.org.
- Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc.: $9.3 million. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, St. Clair) 256-638-4430, caaneal.org.
- Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc.: $2.5 million. (Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, Winston) 256-355-7843, capna.org.
- Walker County Community Action Agency Inc.: $587,811. (Walker) 205-221-4010, caawalker.org.
- Community Action of Etowah County Inc.: $1 million. (Etowah) 256-546-9271, communityaction-etowah.org.
