PUBLIC HEARING ANNOUNCEMENT
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM and WEATHERIZATION LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM waiver for LIHEAP Funding Increase
The Department of Community Affairs is seeking written public comments on a proposal to submit a Standard Waiver Request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS).
COMMENT PERIOD ENDS: July 6, 2006.
COMMENTS SUBMITTED TO: Norm Gempel, Manager, Department of Community Affairs,
PURPOSE: Public comments on preparing a Standard Waiver Request to HHS for increasing the percentage of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding for allocating to the Weatherization Assistance Program/LIHEAP (WAP/LIHEAP). Historically fifteen percent of LIHEAP funding has been provided to the WAP/LIHEAP for performing weatherization activities on low-income client homes in accordance with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) guidelines and regulations. However, for FY 2006-2007 the LIHEAP has received an additional funding allocation. Thus the reason for this request of an increase from fifteen percent (15%) to twenty percent (20%). This increase will apply only to the additional $23,001,621 awarded to the state in March 2006. With a higher percentage of the additional funding being allocated to the WAP/LIHEAP, more low-income clients (LIHEAP referral and non-referral) will benefit from receiving weatherization services encompassing all of the DOE approved measures. This will assure that maximum energy savings are realized by the households served. This increase will not decrease the average number of clients that would receive LIHEAP services during the regular agreement period.
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN: The Department of Community Affairs will review all comments received and make a decision in regard to whether to submit the Standard Waiver Request to HHS.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Requests for additional information or questions may be addressed to Norm Gempel, Manager, Florida Department of Community Affairs,
