Infrastructure at ACF

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed into law, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)  (PDF) which provides a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The legislation takes decisive action, providing $1.2 trillion to tackle the climate crisis and strengthen the nation’s resilience, including support for underserved communities that are most vulnerable.

With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

• ACF received $500 million over five federal fiscal years in additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Office of Community Services
• ACF has awarded 100 percent of the LIHEAP funding available to grantees under the act for FY 2022

LIHEAP helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist them in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs.   The supplemental LIHEAP funds from the Infrastructure legislation will help some of our most at-risk communities at a time when energy prices are projected to rise this winter, particularly for people who heat their homes with deliverable fuels such as propane, heating oil, and natural gas.

LIHEAP will continue to serve as a lifeline, particularly for helping seniors, the disabled, and households with young children stay warm in their homes this winter since they are more vulnerable to illnesses caused by modest temperature changes . Recipients—the states, tribes, and territories that will accept and fund LIHEAP applications—can also use this funding to help people with low income cool their homes to avoid heat stress this summer. LIHEAP can also be used to help with immediate and temporary home energy needs caused by natural disasters.