NEWS releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Betsy Bell
Sheltering Arms Senior Services
713-685-6581
bbell@shelteringarms.org
Utility Bill Assistance and Free Energy Efficiency Measures Help Low Income Households Beat the Heat
HOUSTON (June 26, 2009) . . . For many low income Houstonians, a heat wave is more than a
nuisance: it can be a real danger. The associated high energy costs cut into other basic needs and threaten
the health of families. Sheltering Arms Senior Services’ utility assistance program helps pay the
electricity bills of low income individuals living in Harris County. Its weatherization program provides
free energy efficiency home improvements to low income, Harris County households. The improvements
help to keep a home cooler and cut energy costs by at least 20 percent.
To qualify for either program, applicants must live in Harris County and have incomes at no more
than 125% of the federal poverty level. Legal resident status is not required. For the weatherization
program, applicants do not need to own their home.
To apply, Harris County residents are instructed to call United Way’s 2-1-1 HELPLINE and ask
for information on Sheltering Arms Senior Services’ utility assistance and weatherization programs. The
agency combines its utility assistance and weatherization services to optimize a household’s energy
efficiency. Information is also available at www.shelteringarms.org.
About Sheltering Arms Senior Services
Sheltering Arms Senior Services promotes the dignity and independence of older adults through services, advocacy,
and support for caregivers. More than 50,000 Houston-area older adults and their families are helped each year via
its home health care, geriatric care management and consultation, Alzheimer’s day care, telephone reassurance, case
management and housing and energy management programs. Sheltering Arms serves as the lead organization for
Care for Elders, a partnership of more than 80 organizations whose mission is to improve the care and services
provided to vulnerable older adults and family caregivers in Harris County. For more information call 713-685-
6577 or visit www.shelteringarms.org. To apply for utility and weatherization assistance, call the 2-1-1
Texas/United Way HELPLINE.
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