The United Way of Bruce Grey has released its Winter Warmth report for 2011

The United Way of Bruce Grey has released its Winter Warmth report for the 2011 year.  The United Way of Bruce Grey’s Winter Warmth program provides grants, of up to $500 per funding source or utility, to low-income residents.

Report Highlights:

Over $340 000 worth of support provided to the community (2010 total support provided $135 688.38)

Total number of files processed:            635 (2010 - 285)

Total number of families helped:            503 (2010 - 198)

(For many families they need support on more than just one utility hence the difference between “files” and “families”.)

Hydro One*                               $191,277.26

Union Gas                                 $  60,721.63

Furnace Oil                               $  34,128.63

Westario                                   $   23,790.69

Wood                                       $     4,850.30

Propane                                    $      4,630.00

Enbridge                                   $      2,249.76

Other                                        $       2489.79

North Wellington Power             $         470.00

The program also helps with Municipal sewer and water bills

Municipal Sewer & Water total $15,641.77

“Most of our clients are working poor, the newly unemployed, injured workers, seniors and those on government assistance” explains United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn, “people are making informed sad decisions, we’ve seen homeowners walk away from their houses because, while they can afford the mortgage they cannot afford the increased utility costs.”

Price increases

Dobbyn cites raising energy costs as a significant burden for families in the region.  There has been a 57% increase in furnace oil costs since 2009, electricity has increased by 27% and 48% respectively, before you add on the HST, fortunately for people with natural gas or propane, rates have either reduced or remained largely unchanged.

One emerging issue is support for 2012, at this time the United Way has no dollars to allocated to furnace oil, propane or wood. “Last year we were able to raise $93 000 to help cover costs for these sources of heat, but the $50 000 from Bruce Power was a onetime gift, and we know our community is struggling, and to ask for more from them is hard” Dobbyn worries.

Background

The United Way of Bruce Grey’s Winter Warmth program provides grants, of up to $500 per funding source or utility, to low-income residents.  The accounts need to be in arrears or are at risk of disconnection, or are already disconnected.  Initially this program ran only in the winter, but beginning in 2011 the program will run 12 months of the year, funding permitting.

Applicants must meet strict income guidelines to be eligible for this program.  The United Way has also implemented a policy that, when possible, applicants receive financial literacy counselling to address other issues that may present during the application process.  This ensures that basic needs are addressed rather than outstanding issues with consumer debt etc.  It is hoped that the onetime help will provide the clients with the ability to maintain their utility needs.

For more information please contact Francesca Dobbyn at 519 376 1560

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