Latest news with #VictoriaHess

Yahoo

Federal firings at Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, lead to impacts at Couleecap

WESTBY, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – In early April, every federal employee of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP) was fired. The program provides energy assistance to low-income households that have high energy costs. The layoffs mean the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program will no longer receive federal funding. Couleecap Executive Director Hetti Brown explains, 'Those programs might not be available in the future because if those funds are not facilitated from the federal government to the state government, then those funds cannot be available to households that are in need of energy assistance, crisis payments, or emergency response if their furnace goes out.' Last Year, Victoria Hess used the program to help replace her boiler and water heater system. According to her, the program saved her from an $8,000 payment, and without assistance from the program, families may have to move into smaller homes. 'It's harder to build up these smaller communities and get a home if we can't get assistance with those projects because the average income nowadays doesn't take into account the rising costs of huge purchases. $8,000 is pretty outlandish to pay out of pocket.' Brown says while there is still funding from the state, there could be future problems for the program that assisted over 9,000 households in the Coulee Region last year. 'As we go into summer months, it can be really hot. We're not sure what kind of services will be there for families. We're looking ahead. If families call us, we're going to stay in close contact with the state to see what other options will be there. Whether there will be state funds that have to backfill this program so that we can refer people and sill respond when they call us for emergency assistance.' The low-income home energy assistance program had been available since Congress created it in 1981. According to Couleecap, Li-Heap served more than 100-thousand different homes across Wisconsin last year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.