Annual Cooling Initiative, Directed by Homes and Community Renewal, Offers Relief for Vulnerable New Yorkers During Heat Wave
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced assistance for low-income New Yorkers whose health issues pose a medical emergency during the extended period of hot weather forecasted for the state in the coming days.
"The late spring and early summer have already brought several heat waves, which can be life-and-death matters for New Yorkers with serious medical conditions," Governor Cuomo said. "Senior citizens and children are especially susceptible to heat-related illness, and this initiative will provide low-income homes with much-needed air conditioners so that New Yorkers have the assistance they need to stay cool and healthy."
In order to protect vulnerable New Yorkers, New York State has set aside $3 million in funding through the federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
"Summer heat can be dangerous for many New Yorkers," said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. "I strongly urge eligible families and seniors to take advantage of this program to help keep their homes safe and comfortable. As this heat wave moves across New York, it’s absolutely essential that seniors aren’t put at risk because they can't afford to keep their homes cool."
"Working with our non-profit partners across the state, we are happy to provide some relief to those needy New Yorkers with medical conditions," said Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner/CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), which administers LIHEAP. "But if you find yourself without air conditioning and in a true heat emergency this summer, please do not wait: head to your nearest local cooling center."
Eligibility for the program is determined by:
1) LIHEAP low-income guidelines. (For a four-person household, the maximum gross annual income to qualify is approximately $49,500.)
2) Having at least one household member who has been diagnosed with a chronic or acute medical condition which is aggravated by exposure to extreme heat situations.
3) A doctor providing written documentation (dated within the last six months) that air-conditioning assistance is critical to prevent a heat emergency.
Households that have a working air conditioner or have received one from the State in the last 10 years are not eligible.
The cooling program is administered by HCR with funding provided from the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) funds, through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). HCR's network of 63 local Weatherization agencies will provide delivery and installation of cooling program services, and funds have been allocated to ensure coverage in each of the state’s 62 counties.
These agencies will accept applications, determine eligibility, and oversee the installation of the air-conditioning units. Under the terms of the grant, one air conditioner will be awarded to an eligible household or dwelling unit, with installation and labor included. Grants do not include an additional HEAP cash benefit to cover the cost of operating the air conditioning unit.
The full list of local cooling program administrators is below: NYS Homes and Community Renewal
Emergency Cooling Program County Coverage
Subgrantee Counties Served Phone Number
Albany Community Action Partnership, Inc. Albany (518)432-4460
Albany County Cooperative Extension Albany (518)765-3539
Cattaraugus Community Action, Inc. Allegany (716)945-1041
Association for Energy Affordability, Inc. Bronx (718)292-6733
Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation Bronx (718)299-0500
Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, Inc. Bronx (718)584-0515
Tioga Opportunities Program Inc. Broome (607)687-4222
Cattaraugus Community Action, Inc. Cattaraugus (716)945-1041
Cayuga-Seneca Community Action Inc. Cayuga (315)282-0531
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. Chautauqua (716)661-9430
Economic Opportunity Program of Chemung and Schuyler Counties, Inc. Chemung (607)734-0795
Opportunities for Chenango, Inc. Chenango (607)336-2101
Joint Cncl. for Econ. Oppor. of Clinton & Franklin Co. Clinton (518)561-6310
Columbia Opportunities Inc. Columbia (518)828-4611
Cortland County Community Action Program Cortland (607)753-6781
Delaware Opportunities Inc. Delaware (607)746-1690
Dutchess County Community Action Agency, Inc. Dutchess (845)452-5104
Neighborhood Housing Services of South Buffalo, Inc. Erie, City of Buffalo (716)837-0071
Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Svces. Ctr. of Western NY Erie, City/Outside of City (716)893-7222
Supportive Services Corporation Erie, Outside of City (716)685-6252
Adirondack Community Action Programs,Inc. Essex (518)873-3207
Comlinks, Inc. Franklin (518)483-1261
Fulmont Community Action Program Fulton (518)853-8359
Orleans Community Action Committee, Inc. Genesee (585)343-7798
Community Action of Greene County Inc. Greene (518)943-9205
Warren/Hamilton Counties ACEO Inc. Hamilton (518)793-0636
Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. Herkimer (315)624-9930
Community Action Planning Cncl. of Jefferson Co., Inc. Jefferson (315)788-4388
Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Inc. Kings (718)638-5705
Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Kings (718)771-9000
Opportunity Development Associaton Kings (718)855-8233
Sunset Park Redevelopment Committee, Inc. Kings (718)492-8580
Community Environmental Center, Inc. Kings (718)784-1444
Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. Lewis (315)376-8202
Livingston County Planning Department Livingston (585)243-7560
Stoneleigh Housing Inc. Madison (315)697-3737
Action for a Better Community, Inc. Monroe, City of Rochester (585)442-4160
Pathstone Corporation Monroe (585)442-2030
Fulmont Community Action Program Montgomery (518)853-3011
Community Development Corp. of Long Island, Inc. Nassau (631)471-1215
Harlem Community Development Corporation New York (212)961-4100
Housing Conservation Coordinators New York (212)541-5996
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation New York (212)822-8340
Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. Niagara (716)285-9681
Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. Oneida (315)624-9930
People's Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. Onondaga (315)470-3315
Wayne County Action Program Inc. Ontario (315)483-8761
Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. Orange (845)342-3978
Orleans Community Action Committee, Inc. Orleans (585)589-5605
People's Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. Oswego (315)470-3315
Opportunities for Otsego Inc. Otsego (607)433-0444
Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc. Putnam (845)279-5533
Community Environmental Center, Inc. Queens (718)784-1444
Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Council, Inc. (HANAC) Queens (718)626-7575
Margert Community Corporation Queens (718)471-3724
CEO for the Greater Capital Region, Inc. Rensselaer (518)272-6012
Northfield Community LDC of Staten Island Richmond (718)442-7351
Rockland Community Development Council Rockland (845)352-1400
St. Lawrence County Community Development Program, Inc. St. Lawrence (315)386-1102
Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. Saratoga (518)587-3158
Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. Schenectady (518)587-3158
Schoharie County Community Action Program Schoharie (518)234-2568
Economic Opportunity Program of Chemung and Schuyler Counties, Inc. Schuyler (607)734-0795
Seneca County Office for the Aging Seneca (315)539-4263
Pro Action of Steuben and Yates Inc. Steuben (607)776-2125
Community Development Corp. of Long Island, Inc. Suffolk (631)471-1215
CACHE, Inc. Sullivan (845)292-5821
Tioga Opportunities Program, Inc. Tioga (607)687-4222
Tompkins Community Action Tompkins (607)273-8816
Ulster Community Action Committee Inc. Ulster (845)338-8750
Warren/Hamilton Counties ACEO Inc. Warren (518)793-0636
Washington County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. Washington (518)746-2390
Wayne County Action Program Inc. Wayne (315)483-8761
Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc. Westchester (914)375-7887
Wyoming County Community Action Inc. Wyoming (585)237-2600
Pro Action of Steuben and Yates Inc. Yates (607)776-2125
Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to local providers listed above or the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.
Those who want to see if they qualify under HEAP’s income guidelines should visit www.mybenefits.ny.gov [2]
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