13 Reduction of home energy needs,2605(b)(16) - Assurance 16

13.1 Describe how you use LIHEAP funds to provide services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance? Subgrantees may submit annual proposals for MaineHousing's consideration, describing their planned activities and expenses associated with providing services to applicants pursuant to Assurance 16 of the LIHEAP Act. Assurance 16 funds may only be used to fund activities that encourage and enable eligible households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance. Only LIHEAP eligible households may receive Assurance 16 services. The services being funded by Assurance 16 must be energy related and may include family development case management and education activities. Subgrantees are required to have proper fiscal controls to ensure the LIHEAP funds are expended proportional to the overall funding sources using proper cost allocation methodology. There must be proper documentation of participation and a methodology to measure outcomes from the Assurance 16 activities. Salaries and benefit costs for any staff providing services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance are allowable. Additionally, direct costs associated with providing these services, including supplies, equipment, postage, utilities, rental office space, and travel costs incurred for official business are also allowable. Services that are already provided as part of the delivery of other federal programs cannot be charged to Assurance 16. Examples: •Working with an electric utility to forestall a shut-off as part of providing an Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) benefit cannot be charged to Assurance 16 because this activity is already required and funded under ECIP. •Outreach/Intake services, regardless of where they are provided, or who (which staff member/ position) provides them, cannot be charged to Assurance 16. These activities are already required under HEAP fuel assistance, and therefore, do not provide an additional benefit to eligible households. •Mailed out applications are not allowed to be charged to Assurance 16. •Indirect charges cannot be charged to Assurance 16. Client referrals to other programs or resources that are not related to clients' home energy needs or do not reflect an additional net benefit for the client. 13.2 How do you ensure that you don't use more than 5% of your LIHEAP funds for these activities? MaineHousing has established the following requirements to ensure compliance: •Budget 5% of Maine’s LIHEAP funds for Assurance 16 activities; •Subgrant agreements specify the allocation amount for these activities; •Subgrantees are required to submit budgets and work plans that outline their processes for administering these activities; •Monitor subgrantees’ expenditures monthly; and Subgrantee's record-keeping must demonstrate a direct link between services provided to clients and costs charged to Assurance 16. Salary costs for providing Assurance 16 services must be supported by timesheet documentation. 13.3 Describe the impact of such activities on the number of households served in the previous federal Fiscal Year. MaineHousing provides its subgrantees with an opportunity to develop/submit proposals and funding requests for Assurance 16 (A16) initiatives. Six (6) subgrantees were awarded funds for Assurance 16 activities. Activities included short-term case management, comprehensive energy saving education/counseling, and providing participants with energy saving kits. 13.4 Describe the level of direct benefits provided to those households in the previous federal Fiscal Year. Some subgrantees offer incentives to households who complete milestones/modules of financial literacy education and demonstrate a reduction in their home energy costs. Incentives range from $50 - $425 (depending on the subgrantee's incentive model and the number of milestones achieved by a household) that are issued to the household's fuel or electricity vendor. 13.5 How many households received these services? 687 If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.