Haverhill officials warn of heating‑assistance pause amid federal funding lapse; council to send letter to delegation

Community Action Inc. and the Haverhill Fire Department warned council members on Oct. 21 that a pause in federal contracting for heating assistance could leave some households temporarily without program payments as the cold months begin.

Carrie Sharon Perry, chief executive officer of Community Action Inc., told the council the agency had already logged 2,036 applications as of the prior Monday, about 90 percent from Haverhill residents. She said the LIHEAP contract should have started Oct. 1 but, because state contracting with the executive office has not completed, Community Action can accept and certify applications but not yet issue payments or support emergency fuel deliveries or system repairs.

Perry said Community Action is urging the Baker‑Healy administration and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to use an estimated $8 million in FY25 carryover funds as a short‑term bridge and to press state regulators to move the National Grid shutoff moratorium earlier than Nov. 15 — to Nov. 1 — to prevent cold‑weather disconnections once certifications are complete.

The mayor said the city’s Community Development office has FY26 funds available that can be used to supplement emergency needs and that council advocacy to the federal delegation could help unlock federal dollars.

Councilor Mitchinson moved that the council send a letter to the city’s federal delegation to press for resolution of the funding interruption; the motion was seconded, called, and approved by voice vote.

Fire Chief Robert O’Brien briefed the council on common fire and carbon‑monoxide hazards tied to alternate heating methods. He emphasized functioning smoke and CO detectors (detectors’ typical service life cited as about 10 years for smoke detectors and 5–7 years for CO detectors), annual chimney and flue inspections for solid‑fuel appliances, safe ash disposal in metal containers with lids, and strict limits on space heaters (not for primary home heating; no extension cords or power strips). He noted that portable kerosene and propane heaters are illegal for residential use in Massachusetts and said improperly maintained oil and gas burners can cause blowback and life‑safety incidents.

Councilors asked what the city could do immediately. Perry reiterated that Community Action is certifying applicants; her office is using local funds, donated dollars and vendor relationships to respond when possible but lacks full spending authority until contracts are finalized. She urged residents who think they may be eligible to apply now; application assistance is available in person or by phone at Community Action’s Haverhill office.

The council voted to send a letter to the federal delegation asking for action on the funding gap and related protections for residents.