Ind. heating aid program awaits decisions

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Those who oversee Indiana's energy-assistance program for low-income families are uncertain how much money they'll have to work with this winter since Congress hasn't decided what funding it will provide.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority has set aside $25 million from its reserve and carry-over funds for heating assistance. But agency official Paul Krievins tells The Journal Gazette that it distributed about $107 million last year to help 169,000 households.

Krievins says that the agency doesn't have a starting point without a funding indication from Congress.

The grants distributed by local community action agencies last year averaged about $380 a household.

Natural gas companies are expecting lower heating bills this winter, while electric utilities anticipate possible increases.