Community action agencies in the Black Belt can help low-income residents with home energy costs thanks to grants announced last week by Gov. Kay Ivey.
The grants totaling about $43.8 million will enable 18 community action agencies, including three serving the Black Belt, to provide emergency assistance to help low-income Alabama residents cover the costs of heating or cooling their homes.
“The cost of heating a home during the coldest parts of winter and cooling it during the hottest parts of summer can pose a challenge for those who are most vulnerable and have extremely limited incomes,” Ivey said. “These grants will ensure that help is available to those who need it most during extreme weather.”
The state’s community action agencies manage the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program at the local level and receive applications from individuals 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. The funding announced Dec. 22 includes both the regular LIHEAP allocations plus supplemental funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“This program is meant to help people who have the lowest income and those who are most vulnerable, including the elderly, people with disabilities and young children,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Here’s a list of grants in the Black Belt News Network coverage area, the counties served and contact information.
Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. serving Bibb, Choctaw, Dallas, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Perry, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties received$4.27 million. Contact them at 205-752-5429 or https://cspwal.com/.
Community Action Agency of South Alabama serving Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe and Wilcox counties received $2.8 million. Contact them at 251-626-2646 or http://www.caaofsa.org/.
Montgomery Community Action Committee and Community Development Corporation Inc. serving Montgomery County received$2.2 million. Contact them at 334-263-3474, https://mcacinc.org/.
Brad Fisher is Associate Publisher of the Black Belt News Network and Selma Sun. He can be reached at bfisher@kingfisher-media.com.
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...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...All of central Alabama.
* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Currently in Selma
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