March 29, 2024

Representative Steven Howitt supports $30M in home heating assistance for low-income seniors and working families

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Boston – State Representative Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), recently joined with his colleagues to allocate $30 million in funding for home heating assistance for low-income elders and working families.

The funding, which will help to offset federal cutbacks in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), was included as part of a $135 million supplemental budget approved by the House of Representatives on February 27 on a vote of 154-0.

“Many seniors and families across the state have been struggling to pay their heating bills this winter,” said Representative Howitt. “The money approved by the House today will help to alleviate some of that financial burden.”

Representative Howitt noted that the fuel assistance funding will be available until June 30, 2020, allowing the state to continue to assist individuals and families both this winter and next.

The supplemental budget also includes:

  • $10 million for the emergency housing assistance program for family shelters;
  • $1.4 million for the Department of Public Utilities to conduct an independent statewide examination of the safety of the Commonwealth’s gas distribution infrastructure;
  • $8 million for the State Police Crime Laboratory to address the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits; and
  • $494,662 for the operation of the Sex Offender Registry Board

    The supplemental budget now heads to the Senate for further action.

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