Low-income Home Energy Assistance Seeks Families To Help

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program gets underway for island residents with an application drive in June at five Honolulu Community Action Program sites, including the Windward District Service Center in Kahaluu.

Conducted once a year, the federally funded program helps families in one of two ways: Gas or Electric Bill Payment Assistance (energy credit to reduce the bill) or Energy Crisis Intervention (payment help to restore service that has been, or soon will be, shut off).

“(Low-income families) are hit hardest by rising utility rates, having to pay a higher percentage of their household incomes for energy than their middleand high-income counterparts,” explained HCAP executive director Robert Piper.

“We encourage all those who may qualify for LIHEAP to avail themselves of this helpful program.”

The HCAP offices will accept applications from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays, from now through June 30. The Windward office is located at 47-232 Waihee Road, next to Kahaluu Elementary School. For requirements and more information, call 239-5754.