When Sandra P.’s furnace gave out in October, it was the start of a bitterly cold Eastern Oregon winter and a deeply stressful time for her and her husband. With no central heat, they turned to unsafe methods to warm their home: a kitchen stove and space heaters. “It was barely warm,” Sandra recalled.
Fortunately, a call to a local contractor reminded her about the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO) and its connection to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible households in Oregon stay safe and warm by covering the cost of home energy bills. Rather than providing cash directly to households, LIHEAP applies grant assistance straight to the energy provider on behalf of the qualifying household. The program may also help repair or replace broken or unsafe heating systems and offers access to home energy-saving upgrades through its weatherization program. For families like Sandra’s, it’s a lifeline during hard times.
“I knew about CAPECO, but I had forgotten they were around,” Sandra said. She decided to reach out, and what she found was not just support, but warmth, both literal and emotional.
Through LIHEAP funding and help from CAPECO, Sandra’s home received a new heat pump and an energy efficiency inspection. “It has really helped,” she said. “They even helped us reapply this year, and we received another $420 in energy assistance.”
CAPECO’s staff made an impact beyond heating systems. “They’re always friendly and courteous. Very helpful in any way they can be,” Sandra said. “I really appreciate that organization being there.”
To those who administer and fund programs like LIHEAP, Sandra expressed her gratitude: “I wish there were more groups like this in other areas. It’s there for the people.”
