LIHEAP celebrated its 40th Birthday on August 13th, 2021, with the Biden Administration pausing to praise the life-saving difference the legendary heating-and-cooling-assistance program has made in MILLIONS of lives over the past 40 summers and winters and counting.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra - measuring just how universal a difference LIHEAP has made in that time over 50 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, and approximately 150 tribes and tribal organizations - proudly noted that "with extreme winters in Texas and record-breaking three-digit temperatures across the country, LIHEAP is more important than ever for people struggling with their utility bills. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) included the largest increase in the program’s history, providing $4.5 billion in additional funding. With these additional funds, the program is able to offer relief to millions of working families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I will continue to work with President Biden to strengthen this lifeline and ensure that it is accessible for everyone who needs it.”
With over 5 million households a year cheering on the program's anniversary along with advocates and partners like utility Dollar Energy, who noted that since "LIHEAP was created in 1981 in response to rising energy prices that left many vulnerable households without the necessary utilities to heat or cool their homes. The program provides much-needed relief to thousands of families who rely on the service. Today, LIHEAP remains the largest energy assistance program available to low-income households in the United States." LINKEDIN even got in on the gala, logging the important birthday that "Today marks the 40th anniversary of LIHEAP," while the Mid-Michigan Community Action on its homepage rooted the program on, "Happy 40th birthday LIHEAP!"
NEUAC (the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition) chimed in with their own words of praise for just how much the program had accomplished over the past 4 decades, highlighting that "today, 40 years later, LIHEAP remains the largest energy assistance program available to low-income households in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, LIHEAP helps pay utility bills, avert an energy crisis, and increase the energy efficiency of homes through weatherization."
Reporting by J.B.
Sources:
https://headtopics.com/us/secretary-becerra-statement-on-liheap-s-40th-anniversary-21347601
https://www.dollarenergy.org/liheap-40-years/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thaw