Community Action Pioneer Valley
Community Action programs:
Each winter, Community Action helps warm hundreds of Franklin and Hampshire County families. Available to both homeowners and renters, the Fuel Assistance Program helps income-eligible participants afford their home heating expenses. Program eligibility is determined by family size and gross annual household income.
The Heating System Program is available to all Fuel Assistance-eligible homeowners. The program can pay for emergency heating system repairs, which eliminates the need to obtain and pay for an annual service contract. For systems that are unsafe/inoperable and not repairable, the program can usually pay for entire system replacement. For systems that are inefficient but still operable, we can often replace when funding and time allows.
- The Electric Efficiency Program trains Fuel Assistance participants to reduce electric usage and provides in-home auditing, and light bulb and refrigerator/freezer replacements. Through a home visit, our Community Action technicians conduct audits, train homeowners, and replace inefficient light bulbs, lamps, refrigerators and/or freezers with more efficient models, all free of charge for Fuel Assistance clients.
- The Weatherization program is available for both homeowners and renters who receive Fuel Assistance, and/or receive the lower-income discount on their electric bill. Using local licensed contractors, the program provides free major improvements, such as attic and wall insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving measures.