The summer of 2021 was marked by unprecedented heat in the Pacific Northwest, resulting in the death of 125 individuals from heat-related illnesses in Washington state. In response to the heat wave's impact, especially on low-income and unhoused residents, officials expanded the LIHEAP program to include cooling assistance. However, the initiative now faces challenges following substantial layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, jeopardizing the disbursement of $378 million intended for cooling aid and threatening support for millions in need as temperatures continue to rise.
"As officials recognized the heat wave's disproportionate effect on low-income and unhoused people unable to access air-conditioning, they made a crucial change to the state's energy assistance program."
"But the program is now in jeopardy... The agency was supposed to send out an additional $378 million this year, but those funds are now stuck in federal coffers."
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