With the recent layoffs of federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) staff, questions have arisen about how changes at the Department of Health and Human Services may impact the services we provide. The Energy Assistance Program at Great Northern Services is fully funded by LIHEAP, which also serves as a significant funding source for our Weatherization program. At this time, there has been no official word on how recent events will affect LIHEAP, and the state department overseeing the program reports no current issues with the 2025 contract.
We believe LIHEAP provides incredible value to Siskiyou County. In 2024, our Energy Assistance Team helped over 1,400 households—more than half of which were at or below the federal poverty level—and responded to over 250 crisis situations. Of the 2,900+ individuals who benefited from this support, over 30% were seniors (60+), nearly 30% were disabled, and 33% were children.
In 2024, our Weatherization Team improved the safety and energy efficiency of 89 households, helping elderly residents remain independent. Of the 171 individuals served, 42% were seniors, 15% were disabled, and 31% were children. We also resolved 22 crisis situations where clients had no heat or hot water. While we assist both homeowners and renters, 75% of the homes we worked on were owner-occupied.
We are proud of the impact our organization has made in Siskiyou County and grateful for the funding that allows us to serve our community. We remain hopeful that this critical support for vulnerable populations will continue for years to come.
Nichole Solga Smith, Energy General Manager
Great Northern Services
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services provided financial support for this announcement. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the U.S. government.