Governor announces cooling initiative

COLUMBIACOUNTY Low-income residents who have medical conditions affected by the summers growing heat, but no air conditioning, may be able to get a unit installed thanks to a yearly program from the state and federal governments.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday that the states annual cooling initiative is once again available to qualified low income residents, for whom extended periods of hot weather may pose a medical emergency because of their health issues.

The initiative is funded by Washingtons Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and administered through the NYS Homes and Community Renewal agency, which has set aside $3 million from the federal LIHEAP funds which also provides heating assistance during the winter months for the air conditioner program.

The late spring and early summer, said Cuomo, have already brought several heat waves, which can be life-and-death matters for New Yorkers with serious medical conditions.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer also expressed support for the program. I strongly urge eligible families and seniors to take advantage of this program, he said, to help keep their homes safe and comfortable.

Locally, it will be administered by the nonprofit organizations Columbia Opportunities, Inc., and Community Action of Greene County, Inc.

Columbia Opportunities Executive Director Tina Sharpe said Friday eligibility is determined by three criteria the household must meet the LIHEAP low-income guidelines; at least one member must be diagnosed with a chronic or acute medical condition which would be aggravated by extreme heat conditions; and there must be written documentation from a doctor that air-conditioning assistance is critical to prevent a heat emergency.

Sharpe also explained that the funding is not for households that already have a working air conditioner, or which have received one from the state either from an earlier round of HCR funding or the states NYSERDA funding.

Sharpe said the purpose of the initiative is not to cool an entire residence, but provide a safe zone for the party needing it. Were not trying to air condition the whole apartment, she said.

Its to create a cool space in the home of a low-income person that has a medical condition, Sharpe said, adding that the zone is usually the bedroom.

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Governor announces cooling initiative