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6 hours ago

MaineHousing warns of federal funding shortfall for emergency home heating assistance

A modern building that says MaineHousing on it with a sign in front that says Mainehousing main entrance Photo / Maureen Milliken MaineHousing is based in Augusta.
By Tina Fischer

Thousands of Maine households will not receive federal emergency heating funding this November if the government shutdown continues.

The $3 million Maine Energy Crisis Intervention Program in 2024 provided just over 7,000 households with up to $800 to cover home heating costs. For this year, the allowance has been capped at a maximum benefit of $500.

The program is part of the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP and usually opens on Nov. 1 to eligible applicants in need of funding for heat.

The program is administered through MaineHousing. 

Dan Brennan is director of MaineHousing.

“With no federal funds available, we cannot proceed with the program. We understand the severe impact this will have on Maine families, especially as winter approaches, and we share their anxiety," MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan said Thursday. 

“While Maine’s community action agencies will continue processing applications, they will be unable to issue any payment until federal funding is secured.”

Maine's poorest households would be most affected by the loss of LIHEAP funding.

“The inability to provide emergency heating support will devastate Maine’s most vulnerable households," said Victoria Forkus, executive director of the Maine Community Action Partnership. “This is a heartbreaking, entirely avoidable and unfair reality for many families already struggling to barely make ends meet.”

According to MaineHousing, in 2024, more than half of Maine households relied on oil as their primary heat source.

The agency noted that the Maine Department of Energy Resources’ Winter Heating Guide provides information for consumers on how to reduce energy consumption and includes links to energy consumer protection laws, tips for heating with wood and propane, and rebates and incentives for home efficiency upgrades. 

The department also posts up-to-date fuel prices online during the heating season.
 

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