Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

December 30, 2009

Henderson County awarded state funds for energy assistance

Special to the Review

Henderson County will benefit from Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Funds released Monday to 50 cities, counties and nonprofit organizations in the state.

The TDHCA has awarded $4,176,000 to Community Services Inc., in Corsicana to help pay energy bills for low-income residents living in Anderson, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hood, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties. 

The money coming to Community Services is part of $117.4 million in energy assistance funds available to the state. The allocation is designed to help low-income Texans with consumer education and case management needed to reduce their dependence on future government assistance.

The funds were awarded through the Department’s Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, a utility co-payment assistance program that also helps eligible households better manage their energy consumption for a safe, affordable environment. Funding contracts are effective Jan. 1.

According to a statement by Michael Gerber, TDHCA Executive Director, CEAP plays a critical role in the Department’s mission of fostering affordable housing because energy costs consume a much greater percentage of a low-income family’s annual income than that of the average Texas household.

“The cost of heating and cooling a home significantly impacts a low-income household’s ability to afford their home,” Gerber said. “This important funding award will help our most vulnerable residents, particularly elderly persons and homes with very young children, meet their utility costs, and avoid a potential health or financial crisis. Our goal is to help low-income Texans pay their bills in the short-term, while helping them achieve self-sufficiency in the long-term.”

Studies indicate that the average family in Texas spends about 3.7 percent of their annual household income on utility costs, while low-income households can spend as much as 12.2 percent of their annual household income to pay their utility bills.

The Department annually assists more than 68,000 low-income Texans through CEAP services, helping low-income households meet their immediate energy needs, and control future energy costs through consumer education.

In addition, some households may qualify for the repair or replacement of inefficient heating and cooling equipment.

Services are provided at the local level by contract organizations serving all 254 counties in Texas, and target households earning an annual income of less than $26,500 for a family of four.

These organizations accept applications for assistance, determine eligibility, and provide direct service to clients.

Service providers include Community Action Agencies, or other qualifying nonprofit organizations, Councils of Government, and local city or county governments.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the funding source for CEAP through its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Funds are allocated as a block grant to states based on a formula which includes weather-related factors and low-income populations.

To find the nearest CEAP provider, call toll free at 877-399-8939 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Callers will automatically be connected with the CEAP service provider serving their county. However, callers must use a land-based phone when dialing the toll free number. Cell phones will not make the automatic connection.

Text Only
Local News
  • Fair Park sound system gets AEDC boost

    The Athens Economic Corporation Board took formal action Thursday morning that should result in a stipend of up to $35,000   to match a Ginger Murchison Foundation matching grant for helping finance the Henderson County Regional Fair Park Complex new sound equipment.

    February 9, 2012

  • Scout big boy.JPG Scouts ready to knock doors locally

    Once again Athens will be seeing these Scouts Saturday as they knock on doors to collect food in BSA’s National Scouting for Food Drive. Shown are Tiger Cub Hunter Kaufman and Eagle Scout Michael McCluskey. Also shown is Sierra Kaufman, one of several American Heritage Girls who will be joining the boys in their efforts to collect food.  In the past few years, despite the economy, over 1,000 cans each year have been collected and donated to Henderson County’s Food Pantry.  So when you see these boys and girls in uniform this weekend, open your hearts and help feed the hungry in Henderson County.

    February 9, 2012 3 Photos

  • CROSS ROADS.jpg ‘National Red Wear on Friday’ day in Cross Roads

    It was last Friday that Cross Roads High School staff and students participated in “National Red Wear on Friday.” The first Friday in February was dedicated for heart-disease awareness.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Churches to join with community at Cain Center

    Churches from across Henderson County will come together on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Cain Center in Athens to provide services to all members of the Henderson County community. 
    “This all grew out of the community coming together during the nativity scene controversy in December,” said the Rev. Eric Graham from Sands Springs Baptist Church.

    February 9, 2012

  • HCSO, Trinidad Police arrest man for meth possession

    TRINIDAD – Henderson County deputies and Trinidad police arrested a Henderson County man for possession of a controlled substance Tuesday in this community.

    February 9, 2012

  • Downed airplane located

    The Henderson County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety Game Wardens assisted in locating an plane that went down in Lake Palestine early Thursday. The Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.

    February 9, 2012

  • City hears presentation for new apartment complex

    The Athens City Council heard a presentation, Wednesday, from a group that hopes to obtain a grant to build an apartment complex in south Athens.
    Jay Oji, of Sphinx Development Corporation, said the 80-unit complex called Robbins Villas would be built on a tract of land where Robbins Road intersects with Loop 7. The affordable housing units would cost about $12 million to construct.

    February 8, 2012

  • 2-8 Coach Johnston.jpg Coaches tell Kiwanis about programs

    Two of Trinity Valley Community College’s newest coaches spoke to the Athens Kiwanis Tuesday at the Country Club.
    Trinity Valley Community College Head Softball Coach Ashley Johnston, and Volleyball Coach Tosha Spain, also head up two of the newest programs on campus.

    February 8, 2012 2 Photos

  • Adams addresses Chamber

    The Athens Chamber of Commerce brought in Hue Adams Wednesday at its monthly luncheon to remind local business leaders of the finer points of being a leader.

    February 8, 2012

  • Sory.JPG Athens Hornet now flying Hornets

    A former Athens High School student Bryan Sory is now flying FA-18C Hornets, the U.S. Navy’s frontline fighter plane.  Lt. Commander Sory flies for VFA-151, The Vigilantes, based in Lemoore, Calif.  VFA-151 deployed aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln in December, 2011, and is currently flying missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the overarching operation that encompasses, among other things, ongoing counter-terrorism and nation-building efforts in Afghanistan. 

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo