The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced the release of federal energy assistance funds to 48 service providers across the state, including Montgomery County Emergency Assistance (MCEA). As Montgomery County’s only service provider, MCEA has received $1.3 million that will assist many area low-income seniors and disabled individuals with their utility bills, allowing them to save money for other necessities such as housing, food and healthcare.

“We are very pleased to receive this level of funding for 2011, even though it is a 20 percent reduction from last year,” MCEA Executive Director David Hwa said. “This funding is particularly important to a vulnerable segment of the population in our county. Each day we see many disabled adults and seniors struggling to pay their life-critical bills while trying to manage swings in expenses caused by unexpected medical bills or other crises.”

Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) is part of the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that was established in the 1980s to help low-income and the elderly pay for winter heating and summer cooling bills. Although CEAP represents the largest portion of MCEA’s client assistance for 2011, there are many other important funding sources utilized for its programs. Major contributors include the Montgomery County United Way, HUD, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, FEMA, Entergy, Houston Endowment, Cut-N-Shoot Charities, Woodforest Charitable Foundation and the Montgomery County Community Foundation. 

During 2011, MCEA will provide financial help with utilities, rent/mortgage, food, clothing, prescriptions and day care affecting more than 8,000 individuals. 

“The recession that hit a couple of years ago is stubbornly hanging on,” said Hwa. “Montgomery County has seen its unemployment rate double and an alarming number of our neighbors are deeper in crisis or are experiencing financial distress for the very first time. The assistance we provide through TDHCA and other funders allows families to recover and put their lives back on track.”

Montgomery County Emergency Assistance has five offices located in Conroe, The Woodlands, New Caney, Willis and Magnolia, with a new office opening this year in Montgomery. MCEA also operates a food pantry and resale shop. For more information about CEAP or to make an appointment to see a Case Manager, call the agency’s CEAP hotline at 936-539-9211, ext. 7.

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