Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $22 million initiative under the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to provide air conditioning units to low-income New Yorkers vulnerable to extreme heat. The initiative aims to assist households with elderly members, young children, or individuals with serious medical conditions affected by heat.
The funding is expected to support over 27,000 households this summer. Applications for the cooling assistance opened and will continue through August 31 or until funds are depleted. The program, which is first-come, first-served, covers the cost of acquiring and installing air conditioning units or fans.
The HEAP cooling assistance, funded federally, mandates that eligible households meet specific income criteria and have at least one member susceptible to heat due to medical conditions, age below six, or over sixty. Last year, the program aided over 21,000 households across New York State.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].