Heat is a fundamental right for families in Philadelphia. Higher energy costs present as a life-threatening risk factor for the most vulnerable of the city’s populations. According to census 2000 information, Philadelphia is the seventh poorest city in the country, with 22.9% of residents living at or below the federal poverty line. With winter quickly approaching, perhaps the most vulnerable are the children in Philadelphia because of the direct impact poverty has on a family’s ability to heat their homes. Philadelphia is ranked 8th in the country for poverty amongst families with children under the age of 18, meaning 38% of the city’s population are living at or below the federal poverty line.
From Latest C-SNAP research:
Hunger and food insecurity are associated with high utility costs and cold weather. In the United States, data show that families reporting unheated days or threats of utility turnoff are more likely to report that their children were hungry or at risk for hunger than families without either experience. In addition, national data collected from 1995 to 2001 as part of the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement suggest that rates of food insecurity with hunger increased during the winter and early spring among low-income families in areas with high winter heating costs and during summer in regions with high summer cooling costs.
The U.S. Department of Energy anticipates the costs of heating to rise as the winter approaches. As such, for the second year, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell expanded the eligibility requirements for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).