title
A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging the United States Congress to End the Costly and Disastrous Federal Shutdown and Fast Track Funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), to Prevent Additional, Unnecessary Hardship this Fall and Winter
body
Whereas, according to a 2020 study of U.S. household energy consumption done by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), American household’s primary use of energy is heating which, on average, accounts for 43% of the energy used by U.S. households; and
Whereas, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association predicts that home heating costs this winter will increase by 7.6% - rising faster than inflation - and this increase will equate to the average American household paying between $907 and $976 dollars to heat their homes this winter; and
Whereas, on May 2, 2025, President Donald Trump released the administration’s fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) “skinny” budget proposal, which includes approximately $163 billion in reductions from the federal budget to non-defense discretionary spending, including the elimination of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other programs that support working families, children, and seniors; and
Whereas, the U.S. Congress once again failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to advance appropriations through the House and Senate and negotiate a budget for FY2026; and
Whereas, the U.S. federal government shutdown at 12:01 AM EDT on October 1, 2025 due to Congress’s failure to pass appropriations for FY2026; and
Whereas, the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers estimates that the federal shutdown costs U.S. taxpayers $15 billion per week (approaching $75 billion by the date this resolution is introduced in Council); and
Whereas, LIHEAP is a critical lifeline to millions of Americans, helping mitigate the financial impact of ever higher heating bills and allowing millions of seniors, families with young children and households with members with disabilities to use safe and reliable heating sources; and
Whereas, since 1981, the U.S. Congress has - without fail - funded LIHEAP during its annual appropriations process with most recently appropriating $4.025 billion to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for LIHEAP in FY2025 and $ 4.125 billion to LIHEAP in FY2024; and
Whereas, HHS distributes LIHEAP funds to the states, territories, and tribes as block grants and, in turn, states use the block grant to provide heating assistance, winter crisis assistance, and weatherization assistance to households; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (PA DHS) received LIHEAP block grants from HHS totaling $229.25 million in FY2025 and $218.5 million in FY2024; and
Whereas, LIHEAP helps prevent utility shutoffs, promotes energy efficiency, assists during extreme weather conditions, and protects the health and safety of vulnerable populations, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children
Whereas, HHS estimates that roughly 7.2 million American households and 306,000 Pennsylvania households received financial assistance from LIHEAP in FY2024; and
Whereas, HHS also estimates that in FY2024 LIHEAP restored home energy to 27,5000 Pennsylvania households and prevented the loss of home energy for 124,500 Pennsylvania households;
Whereas, in FY2024, 46% of LIHEAP payments in Pennsylvania went to households with members 60 years of age or older, 28% went to households with members with disabilities, and 17% went to households with children younger than 5 years of age; and
Whereas, during the 2024-2025 LIHEAP season, 33,555 households in Allegheny County received critical assistance through this vital program; and
Whereas, PA DHS advised the public that due to the federal shutdown, the 2025-2026 LIHEAP season is delayed until December 3, 2025, contingent on availability of federal funding; and
Whereas, the loss of funding for LIHEAP further compounds rising utility costs and the affordability crisis threatening the financial stability and well-being of Allegheny County families and communities; and
Whereas, if LIHEAP funding is not restored, our neighbors may be forced to rely on dangerous electric space heaters or ovens to warm their homes or be left to suffer extreme temperatures with no heating or cooling at risk of serious illness or death.
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of the Preamble
The provisions set forth in the Preamble to this Resolution are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
SECTION 2. Expression of Concern for Allegheny County Residents
Allegheny County expresses its deep concern for the welfare of our residents, as families, businesses, and local governments grapple with the impacts of an ongoing federal shutdown and brace for the impending impact on communities of the loss of the critical safety net that is LIHEAP.
SECTION 3. Urging an End to the Federal Shutdown and Full Restoration of LIHEAP Funding
The Chief Executive and County Council join the bipartisan majority of the American public in their call to restore LIHEAP funding and undertake all necessary efforts to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have the assistance they need to secure safe, reliable heating during winter and equitable access to safe, affordable utilities for all residents; and be it
Further resolved, the Chief Executive and County Council strongly urge President Trump and Congress to end the shutdown and restore LIHEAP funding to levels sufficient to meet the needs of eligible households throughout Allegheny County and the rest of the nation; and be it
Further resolved, the Chief Executive and the County Council call on governments at all levels to collaboratively work to combat the rising energy costs affecting the quality of life of everyday Americans.
SECTION 3. Severability.
If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution, which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. Repealer.
Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.