Summary

This legislation amends the social services law to expand where LIHEAP funds can be allocated to and which public entities can receive them to deploy weatherization and energy efficiency programs.

Explanation

Weatherization upgrades and improvements are both a key climate mitigation measure and greatly reduce energy bills for low-income communities. The Federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) saves eligible households an average of $372 a year for approximately 35,000 homes each year.

This legislation would allow the Division of Housing and Community Renewal to direct Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to any authority under their umbrella or to any public benefit corporation. The legislation would also expand where the projects these funds could be allocated to beyond those explicitly permitted by the Federal WAP program, including various weatherization and energy upgrades that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs These changes allow the program to operate in a more streamlined manner and creates flexibility for funds to be administered more efficiently.

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