Lowell Sun: $4,000 energy grant to Lowell’s House of Hope

LOWELL — Taking care of the organizations that take care of the people they serve was the purpose of an energy affordability announcement event Wednesday at Lowell’s House of Hope, which was attended by Gov. Maura Healey.

The nonprofit received $4,000 from Citizens Energy Corp. through its Shelter Winter Assistance Program to help pay the heating costs at its family shelter on Fletcher Street in the city’s Acre neighborhood. The shelter serves 31 families.

The Shelter Winter Assistance Program provides critical heating assistance to shelters and facilities serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This year’s funding will help ensure these organizations can continue to provide safe, warm spaces during the coldest months while focusing their resources on essential services.

Executive Director Julie Lemire said feeling safe and cared for is the first step in building stability and independence for House of Hope clients.

“Support like this not only keeps our buildings heated, it strengthens our ability to provide the wrap-around services that helps people gain independence and hope,” she said to Citizens Energy Corp. President Joe Kennedy III at the event.

Lemire said that since 1997, the program has awarded more than $100,000 to House of Hope.

“Thank you, Citizens Energy, for the impact you have,” she said. “You show up for people and that’s what makes the difference.”

Healey visits Lowell

The morning event was attended by Gov. Healey, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, Lowell Mayor Erik Gitschier, Vice Mayor Vesna Nuon, City Councilor Corey Robinson, state Reps. Vanna Howard, Rodney Elliott and Tara Hong and Lowell City Manager Tom Golden, as well as clients, staff and supporters of the nonprofit.

Healey said her administration has been focused on reducing energy bills and stopping major rate hikes, part of the Energy Affordability Agenda that she mentioned during a speech in late February to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

“We know families are struggling,” Healey said. “That’s why House of Hope is so important. We continue to make investments in people in the state and making life more affordable for them.”

Healey’s administration secured rebates for Massachusetts ratepayers. Consumers will see 25% off their electric bill and 10% off their gas bill.

“It’s not everything, but it’s a start,” Healey said.

In addition to opposing rate hikes, Healey said she has filed legislation to bring more energy to the commonwealth at a cheaper price, as well as remove unnecessary charges from ratepayer bills.

“We think it’s going to save ratepayers $13 billion,” the governor said.

Healey said her administration has also been focused on upgrading energy infrastructure such as transmission lines, wires and poles that deliver the state’s energy to private and public customers. The governor called partnerships with companies like Citizens Energy “smart.”

“With the legislation that I have filed, we will make it easier for organizations like Citizens Energy to invest in these projects and send these profits right back to the people who pay the bills,” Healey said.

Still, some people will fall through the cracks, and organizations like House of Hope are there to help catch them. But to do so, Kennedy said they need to be able to afford the same energy that they are providing to their clients through their services and programs.

“We know that the cost of energy can be one of the biggest challenges facing families,” Kennedy said. “We’ve spent decades developing practical solutions to help lower energy bills, strengthen critical infrastructure and support our communities while funding charitable programs to those who need it most.”

Citizens Energy supports more than 120 facilities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“We’ve donated $10 million to homeless shelters and food pantries across our communities,” Kennedy said.

By helping to cover heating costs, the Citizens Energy program allows shelters and service providers to redirect their resources to health care, job training, education and permanent housing support programs.

Healey closed the event by making what she called a public service announcement on energy bills noting that some consumers may be eligible for low-income discounts from their utility company.

“We are working every day to drive down energy costs in Massachusetts,” Healey said.

Healey visits Lowell

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