As Summer Approaches, Federal Cuts Threaten Program to Keep Vulnerable People Cool

Washington experienced a deadly heat wave in 2021 that killed 125 people, and low-income and unhoused citizens were most at risk due to a lack of access to air conditioning.
As a result, the state expanded its energy assistance program to cover cooling expenses, but now it is under threat.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has laid off 10,000 employees, including those who administer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Congress has provided $4.1 bn f or t h e ini t ia t i v e, b u tt h e f i re d HH S e m pl oyees m e an t ha tt h e a dd i t i o na l$ 378m due to be distributed this year is stuck in federal coffers.
Roughly 6 million people benefit from LIHEAP, which helps with heating and cooling costs, but it only reaches around 20% of those who are eligible for it.
Without the program, deaths among vulnerable citizens who can’t afford to heat or cool their homes would increase.

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