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More Londoners beat the winter chill and kept the heat on this year as London Hydro more than doubled its support for a Salvation Army program that helps those in need.
The utility has paid $450,000 so far this year, a total likely to climb by year end, to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) that keeps the heat on for customers facing disconnection because they are behind on bill payments, chief executive Vinay Sharma said.
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“We are a community organization and we felt we should help our community where we can,” he said. “We will not deny any low-income household that qualifies. There are many vulnerable families unable to make payments.”
So far this year, 800 have applied for support, matching the total for all of last year. In 2022, more than 1,100 customers received support.
The Ontario Energy Board, the provincial energy regulator, this year increased how much such support utilities can provide for programs for people facing disconnection.
Since 2015, London Hydro had been capped at $200,000 a year. Interest-free loans were offered to users facing cutoff who couldn’t get help from the program.
Now, utilities can offer more support and London Hydro is stepping up, said Melissa Jeffrey, program manager with the Salvation Army’s housing stability office in London.
“London Hydro has always been a big supporter. They are very generous. A lot of people are struggling with high utility bills,” she said.
Tenants can receive as much as $780 a year toward their heating bills.
To qualify, the resident must earn less than $38,000 a year. The energy board increased that ceiling from $28,000.
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“It has helped a lot of people, this is a very important program,” said Darlene Cox, London Hydro’s customer and community service liaison. “No one will be turned away and they are coming fast and furious.”
After more than 30 years in collections, she is now seeing something new in those reaching out for help.
“I am seeing more older people, those who are retired and are running into problems,” Cox said.
London Hydro made its latest payment to the Salvation Army in June and will likely pay more this fall and winter, she said.
“It seems to me a lot of people are hurting there that were not hurting before.”
The city owns London Hydro and the utility paid the city a $5.5-million annual dividend this year. That’s up about $500,000 from 2023.
ndebono@postmedia.com
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