United Way among recipients of heating assistance grants

Editor’s note: This article was initially published by Crain’s Detroit Business.

BY ANNALISE FRANK
Crain’s Detroit Business

Three Detroit organizations will get a combined $19 million toward helping low-income households with heating and electricity bills.

The Heat and Warmth Fund, United Way of Southeastern Michigan and Society of St. Vincent de Paul are among nine Michigan service agencies sharing $54.3 million in grants through the Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Agencies that receive Michigan Energy Assistance Program grants also aim to help recipients become self-sufficient, weatherize their homes and budget for energy expenses, according to a news release.

The nine grantees are:

  • The Salvation Army, Grand Rapids, $11.4 million
  • TrueNorth Community Services, Fremont, $10.5 million
  • The Heat and Warmth Fund, Detroit, $8.2 million
  • United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, $6.75 million
  • Michigan Community Action, Okemos, $6 million
  • United Way of Jackson County, Jackson, $5 million
  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Detroit, $4.1 million
  • Superior Watershed Partnership, Marquette, $2.4 million
  • Barry County United Way, $150,000

From October 2017 to July, 81,400 Michigan households received MEAP assistance, the release said.

Those applying to receive assistance do so through Michigan’s MI Bridges website.