The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Grant can help poor with utility bills

Betty Riley had her home weatherized a few years ago and she said it cut her utility bills in half. Riley stands next to her new hot water heater, replaced in the process, which is wrapped in insulation for efficiency.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Betty Riley had her home weatherized a few years ago and she said it cut her utility bills in half. Riley stands next to her new hot water heater, replaced in the process, which is wrapped in insulation for efficiency.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Residents asked to line for soldier’s funeral procession
3:06 a.m.
Events  to honor  9/11 losses, memories
3:05 a.m.
Thirtysomething heart patient hopes his story helps others
3:05 a.m.
$1M bond set in fatal home invasion
9/9/10
Checkout lane incident led to 3-woman fight
9/9/10
> More headlines

E-mail this page

By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 4:51 PM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Betty Riley was drowning in bills and getting repeated utility shut off notices before her home was weatherized in 2005.

“My utility bills decreased by half,’’ said Riley, 59, of Hamilton. “My bills were $300-something. The next month they were $156.’’

Riley applied for weatherization assistance through Supports to Encourage Low-income Families, a local nonprofit agency that recently collaborated with Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area to help residents save money on utility bills.

The anti-poverty agency received $18 million in federal stimulus funds this summer and reached out to SELF in hopes of expanding the number of households eligible for weatherization to 2,000.

The program funds allow the agency to provide about $6,500 worth of repairs at no cost to homeowners and renters who meet certain income requirements.

The funds have also allowed the agency to add more employees and increase the number of households eligible for the weatherization program in the five counties it serves, including Butler and Preble counties.

SELF officials say they hope to serve 1,500 residents and urged anyone who thinks they qualify for the program to apply.

“Weatherization is one of the many ways we can help families save hundreds of dollars,’’ said SELF Director Jeffrey Diver.

The nonprofit agency also offers residents Ohio’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which offers emergency relief from heating bills.

Diver and HEAP Coordinator Athena Maley said offering both HEAP and weatherization will provide a one-stop shop for area residents struggling with utility bills.

Maley said the weatherization program will access a resident’s home energy efficiency and replace heaters, wrap pipes, fix damaged doors and windows and install insulation where needed.

John Bennett, a spokesman for the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area, said the program saves homeowners money.

“It can cut bills by 30 percent, which works out to be several hundred dollars a year.’’

To qualify, homeowners must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of four can earn $44,000 a year.

More information

To learn about the weatherization program or HEAP, call Supports to Encourage Low-income Families, which serves residents throughout Butler County, at (513) 868-9300.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

well that is great to find a job, what happens when you can't find one? huh? How is that going to work out for you when 1000 people are vying for 1 job. 999 are going to be left out in the cold.. I am all for helping people when they need it, there are some very deserving people out there who acutally worked hard all their lives, my mom worked 40 years then got sick and now waiting for her SSD, her bills are piling up and she worked her butt off for 40 years and they are jerking her around..

S78
5:12 AM, 11/19/2009

REPORT ABUSE

This is crazy, Sure Obama is going to send our guys to Afgan., he has past ties there, read his book. Also his healthcare plan, it is not going to be free. People think it is. Wrong.
Also, look for more money to give the people, they will take it. The abusers of the system are the first in line. Some people really need it, some do not.Cut off the abusers. Our system is easy for some, the abusers know just what to do to get anything for free. They know all the places to go for freebies.

get a job
7:12 AM, 11/18/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Average Joe: Yes, God does tell us to help those in need. That is why I give freely to My charity and My church. I do not condone the government taking my money and giving to people and causes that I do not support and I don't know why you would either. And Obama has taken a difficult situation and made it worse. What idiot would want to raise taxes in this environment? And btw, is Obama ever going to make a decision on Afghanistan? Or is he going to let our boys twist in the wind over there?

Get A Grip
10:54 PM, 11/17/2009

REPORT ABUSE

"Get a grip", you need to follow your own calling. It is right to help the poor and if they cheat the system, they are stealing and will pay for it here or in the afterlife. You are right that God wouldn't take handouts, he would simply expect you to help those in need with whatever you have. Last but not least we are not controlled by socialisitic leaders. the president we have now has 8 years of continious mess he has to clean up and get us back on track. He is doing a fine job.

Average joe
10:33 PM, 11/17/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Once again, lots of ignorant comments...
1. I am not judging anyone, I am just stating the facts. If the government takes from the people who earn, and gives away to people who don't earn, then what incentive is their to earn money? Pretty soon the earners are gone and everyone is screwed. Margaret Thatcher said, "Socialism works until their is nobody left to pay for it".. Keep that in mind!
2. God has nothing to do with this argument. Jesus certainly would not approve of taking handouts!

Get A Grip
10:03 PM, 11/17/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 19 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.