Mayor Domenic J. Sarno welcomed Executive Director of the Valley Opportunity Council Steve Huntley and Paul Robbins, founder and president of communications firm, Paul Robbins Associates, for a meeting today to hear updates from the Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) about the Massachusetts Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The Massachusetts LIHEAP is a federal government sponsored program that provides energy assistance to low-income Massachusetts households. Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) will be assuming the contract from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide fuel assistance to eligible Springfield residents beginning in October 2022. VOC, which currently provides fuel assistance programming in Holyoke, Chicopee, and Westfield, is looking forward to opening two or three physical locations in Springfield this fall to serve Springfield residents.
Mayor Sarno states, “Even though it is nearly 90 degrees out now, it is about that time to start thinking about winter heating costs and getting fuel assistance applications ready. I am very appreciative of VOC Director Steve Huntly and communications consultant Paul Robbins for coming in to provide these updates and for working to make these programs accessible to our residents. As VOC takes over the administration of this program, our Springfield residents can be reassured that they will receive the help they need.”
Mayor Sarno continued, “There are many Springfield residents who may be eligible for LIHEAP but do not know it, so I strongly encourage our residents who may be struggling to keep up with their energy bills to learn more about this program and apply for assistance. Please be on the lookout for more information to come from the Valley Opportunity Council on how to apply. Thanks again to VOC for keeping us informed, we will continue to support our residents in connecting them to these resources.”
Learn about Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Mass.gov
