LIHEAP IM 2012-7 Grant Awards for the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program FY 2012

Publication Date: September 28, 2012
Current as of:

TO:     LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) GRANTEES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

SUBJECT:   Grant Awards for the FY 2012 Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH)

GUIDANCE INTENDED FOR: X STATES
                                                 X TRIBES
                                                 X TERRITORIES

RELATED REFERENCES:   Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act, Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, as amended; LIHEAP-AT-2012-3, dated January 31, 2012.

PURPOSE:   To inform LIHEAP grantees that grant awards totaling $1,448,970 million will be made to three States, one Territory, and seven Tribes and/or Tribal  Organizations under the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH) for proposals submitted for FY 2012 funding.

BACKGROUND:   The Human Services Amendments of 1994 (Public Law 103-252) added Section 2607B to the LIHEAP statute, establishing the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH).  REACH is designed to help low income households reduce their energy vulnerability.

On January 31, 2012, the Division of Energy Assistance (DEA) issued a LIHEAP Action Transmittal, LIHEAP-AT-2012-3, to inform LIHEAP grantees that ACF would accept proposals through March 30, 2012, for REACH projects.  Additionally, the AT included a model plan format to use when submitting REACH proposals.  REACH funding eligibility is limited to only directly funded 2012 LIHEAP grantees.

REACH funding is available in amounts up to $350,000 for States, and up to $50,000 for Tribes/Tribal Organizations and Territories.  In addition, successful REACH applicants that also submit Energy Efficiency Education Services (EEES) proposals may be awarded additional funds up to $35,000 for States and up to $10,000 for Tribes/Tribal Organizations and Territories for those additional education services.

In order to be considered for REACH, applicants had to submit complete proposals that showed innovation, a focus on health and/or safety initiatives for vulnerable households, and a relation to home-energy.  ACF gave preference to proposals from grantees that had not previously received REACH grants.                                    

CONTENT:   ACF timely received REACH proposals from seven States, one Territory, and fourteen Tribes.  After careful review and consideration by DEA, ACF funded REACH projects in three States, one Territory, and seven Tribes.  Of those grantees, three Tribes/Tribal Organizations and one Territory will receive an additional $10,000 each for administering an EEES program.  A total of $1,448,970 has been awarded in REACH grants for FY 2012.

Attachment 1 provides a listing of the FY 2012 grantees under the REACH program.  Attachment 2 provides a description for each of the REACH grantee programs.

All FY 2012 REACH grantees will receive an official grant award letter that will explain the requirements on the use of these funds.

INQUIRIES:   Questions may be directed to Nick St. Angelo at nick.stangelo@acf.hhs.gov or 202-401-9351.

ATTACHMENTS:    (1)  List of REACH grantees and funding for FY 2012

                                (2)  FY 2012 REACH Project Abstracts

                               

/s/

Jeannie L. Chaffin
Director
Office of Community Services