FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2025
Contact: Jama Joseph, (646) 951-1648, jama.joseph@weact.org
NEW YORK — As temperatures drop into the single digits across the state, millions of New Yorkers are in jeopardy of having their heat shut off. The Home Energy Assistance Program, a critical lifeline that provides financial assistance to help low-income New Yorkers cover heating costs during the winter months, has been entirely depleted as demand has far outpaced funding.
As of Tuesday, January 23, the state is no longer accepting applications, leaving many vulnerable households out in the cold. Gas utilities continue to increase the cost of energy with no end in sight, burdening New Yorkers with ballooning utility debt. The NY HEAT Act offers a long-term solution to address this affordability crisis by capping energy bills at 6 percent of household income for those most in need. By moving away from reliance on costly natural gas halting the allocation of millions in taxpayer subsidies to utility companies, and focusing on improving energy efficiency and investing in cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives, the NY HEAT Act would not only provide immediate relief but also build a more sustainable and affordable energy future for all New Yorkers—ensuring no one is left out in the cold in weather like this.
“As HEAP funding runs dry and energy costs continue to soar, low-income households in New York face a harsh winter without adequate relief. Legislators must prioritize passing the NY HEAT Act in the upcoming session to address the state’s affordability crisis and fulfill the Governor’s promise to tackle this issue head-on. By codifying a 6 percent energy burden cap, this legislation would provide much-needed relief to over 1.2 million families struggling to keep up with rising energy bills,” said Annie Carforo, Climate Justice Campaign Manager, WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan-based, membership-driven organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents are meaningfully included in the development of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X, and Instagram.