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Monday, December 24, 2012
‘Heating Gap’ Grows for Connecticut’s Poor
By Keith M. Phaneuf
www.ctmirror.orgThe gap between what Connecticut’s poorest families need to heat and light their homes—and what they can actually afford—continues to grow, according to a new study from energy assistance advocates.
About 290,000 households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level face an average gap $2,304 between their annual energy costs, and their available resources, Operation Fuel reported late last week.
That margin, which represents about a 12 percent difference between costs and income, is up from about $2,100 last year. And advocates say that with no government solution in sight, they fear the problem will get worse in the near future.
“We seem to be taking one step forward and two steps back,” Patricia Wrice, executive director of Operation Fuel, said. “We’re putting people in harm’s way because we don’t want to recognize that we have a problem.”
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport