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The United Way of Bruce Grey is temporarily putting a pause on intakes for its utility assistance program.
The reason for the temporary stoppage is due limited funding resources, and an unprecedented increase in demands.
The pause is expected to last until July 2nd.
In a media release, Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn said that it was not a decision that the United Way board made lightly.
“We are way over budget of what we anticipated we would be spending on this program this year,” said Dobbyn. “And with three out of four households being new to this program, that’s driving this unanticipated need.”
Data reviewed by the organization showed that the increase in demand is due to more households finding themselves in financial crisis.
The utility assistance program is already 15% over budget for this operating year, which for the United Way runs from July 1st – June 30th. Last year, the program was even further over its budget.
The temporary intake pause is so that the United Way is able to preserve its emergency response capacity, while the organization takes time to review the sustainability of the program.
Dobbyn said that the increased demand is very similar to concerns being voiced by local food banks.
“It’s all those affordability pieces,” she explained. “Rent’s still really, really high. And people just don’t have enough money, and they’re turning to all of these programs that were put in place for situations just like this.”
Anyone who has already submitted an application will still be reviewed, and the United Way says that the program is suspended during the warmer months to avoid service disruptions during peak winter heating periods, when households are at greater risk.