Battling the Heat: How LIHEAP Struggles to Keep Low-Income Texans Cool

As the summer heat scorches Texas, low-income families are facing a daunting challenge: keeping their homes cool without breaking the bank. The federal government's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is meant to help, but its funding formula favors cold-weather climates, leaving many Texans in the lurch. Advocates and researchers are calling for a revamp of the program to better address the impacts of climate change and the growing need for cooling assistance in hot states like Texas.

Keeping Cool Comes at a Steep Price for Texas' Vulnerable Residents

The Struggle to Afford Soaring Utility Bills

In San Elizario, a community nestled between cotton fields and the U.S.-Mexico border fence, nearly 30% of the population lives below the poverty line. When the summer heat arrives, electric bills skyrocket, and paying them becomes a constant struggle. Olivia Figueroa, the executive director of the local organization AYUDA Inc., has lost count of the number of people who have sought help to cover their utility costs. "Let's say that if we get 30 calls a day, at least half of them are asking about funds to help pay their water or electric bill," Figueroa said in Spanish. "And at the moment we don't have any funding." The need for assistance is acute, as air conditioning has become increasingly necessary to keep homes at safe temperatures during the scorching Texas summers.

The Limitations of LIHEAP Funding

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the federal government's primary tool for helping low-income households manage their energy costs. However, the program's funding formula favors cold-weather climates, leaving hot states like Texas at a disadvantage. In Texas, LIHEAP funds only cover 7.6% of low-income residents' total heating and cooling costs, compared to nearly 23% in a northern state like Minnesota. This disparity is further exacerbated by the fact that Texas does not provide any supplemental funding to help close the gap.

The Deadly Consequences of Heat Exposure

The lack of adequate cooling assistance has dire consequences for vulnerable populations in Texas. Graciela Ortiz, who coordinates El Paso's Extreme Weather Task Force, has encountered seniors who refuse to turn on their air conditioning because they can't afford the resulting electric bills. "I have seniors who have their air [conditioning] and they won't turn it on because they can't afford the electric bill later," Ortiz said. "They'll tell me — they're very honest — 'I'm dying in the heat but I can't turn on the air because I can't afford a 0 electric bill.'" This situation puts lives at risk, as heat-related illnesses and deaths can occur when homes are not properly cooled.

The Need for a Comprehensive Solution

Experts and advocates argue that the LIHEAP funding formula needs to be revised to better reflect the realities of climate change and the growing need for cooling assistance in hot states. Researchers have proposed alternative formulas that would distribute funds more evenly across the country, ensuring that a minimum percentage of low-income households' heating and cooling costs are covered. Additionally, some experts suggest that Congress should require states to allocate a specific percentage of their LIHEAP allocations for cooling assistance, rather than relying on non-binding guidance.

The Broader Implications of Inadequate Cooling Assistance

The lack of sufficient cooling assistance in Texas has broader implications beyond the immediate impact on low-income households. Patricia Solis, the executive director of the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience and an urban planning professor at the University of Arizona, warns that preventable heat-related deaths are likely to increase if the funding gap is not addressed. "Arizona is way behind," Solis said, noting that the state's LIHEAP funding only serves around 5% of eligible low-income households. As climate change continues to exacerbate extreme heat events, the need for comprehensive solutions to address energy insecurity and protect vulnerable populations becomes increasingly urgent.

The Path Forward: Advocating for Change

Advocates and researchers are actively working to raise awareness about the shortcomings of the LIHEAP program and the need for reform. In March 2023, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs requested that Congress readjust the LIHEAP formula, citing the state's history of being chronically short of these "life-saving funds." Similarly, experts are providing policymakers with alternative funding models and recommendations to ensure that LIHEAP better serves the needs of hot-weather states like Texas. As the fight for equitable cooling assistance continues, the well-being and safety of low-income Texans hang in the balance.