SELINSGROVE -- Evicting people because their home does not have heat is cold and cruel, the least enjoyable part of John Bickhart's job.
"Government gets stuck with it," said the borough's code enforcement officer, who is also the borough manager. "It's a human tragedy that tugs the heartstrings."
Pangs of conscience are aggravated by the difficulty of finding help for people in the tangle of resources intended to help. Advocates and government officials say there are a number of programs available to offer heating assistance, but no clear-cut starting point where people can turn for help.
If he receives a complaint that a residence doesn't have heat, Bickhart said he is required by the borough to inspect the property. If there is no heat, and the problem can't be solved quickly, he has to declare the site unfit for habitation.
Residents are given a few days to move before he padlocks the doors.
Unfortunately, Bickhart said, that's where his involvement ends.
"There's no database or list of places that can help," he said. "If they're elderly, I can suggest Area Agency on Aging. Some churches in town and foundations may be able to help."
Bickhart, as well as code enforcement officials throughout the Valley, may have to evict more people as layoffs, high fuel prices and the poor economy take their toll.
Cathy Teischer, director of Haven Ministry in Sunbury, said the South Front Street shelter is full, as is the Gatehouse, a similar shelter in Danville.
The next closest shelter is in Harrisburg, she said.
"I do what I can and then move on," she said.
Teischer said she is often able to provide people with food, which allows them to use their money for heat.
Sunbury code enforcement officer Mike Rhoads said he knows of several city residents warming their homes with a secondary, more cost-effective heating sources to save money.
For example, he said, one couple has begun using a 24,000-btu fireplace for heat, rather than their 60,000-btu gas furnace.
At the beginning of the heating season this year, Rhoads said the code office had to condemn a handful of properties because the occupants didn't have heat in their homes and were using unconventional methods -- such as ovens -- to keep warm.
"It's unfortunate," he said, noting that most of the cases involved younger families.
According to city code, all occupied properties have to maintain a temperature of 65 degrees, and all have to have a primary source of heat.
Rhoads said UGI and PPL send the code office reports on a regular basis that indicate who's delinquent on heating bills.
He said the code office also relies on complaints from neighbors or landlords for heating violations, but also discovers some in the course of routine inspections.
Programs exist to help, and thousands of people have applied for assistance in Pennsylvania.
"LIHEAP is the main source," Tammy Young, of the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, said of the statewide Low Income Heating Assistance Program, which is funded by the federal government.
In Pennsylvania, $280 million in additional federal LIHEAP funds, a 29 percent increase over 2007, will allow the state to assist 620,000 households pay heating bills. In addition, the income guidelines have been revised.
Weatherization programs have been swamped by requests and those who qualify for aid can expect to wait months before work can begin.
Pamela Bollinger, an outreach worker in Northumberland County's weatherization program, a state and federally funded effort, said the program helps people in older homes cope with rising heating costs.
"We provide attic and basement insulation, seal gaps, caulk and repair windows and weatherstrip doors," she said. "We check the efficiency of the furnace and refrigerator and can replace them if necessary."
Unfortunately, the program has only three men to handle the actual work. They completed 161 homes in 2008 and are working on applications approved last September.
"It takes time to do a good job," Bollinger said. "We're doing 30-50 each month."
In addition to LIHEAP, many of the utility companies in the region participate in the Dollar Energy Fund. This money comes from utility customers who contribute an extra dollar to their monthly bills, along with funds donated by the utility. Between October 2007 and September 2008, the fund gave $9,555 to 23 customers in Northumberland County and $10,330 to 37 customers in Union County. No requests for assistance were received from Snyder or Montour counties.
PPL Electric Utilities has its own program, which distributed $57,473 to 118 customers in the four-county region, according to Teri MacBride, PPL regional community relations director.
PPL funds a separate weatherization program, administered by local agencies, that provides low-income families with insulation, caulking and basic energy-savings.
Michael Molesevich, an environmental consultant from Lewisburg, said most homes would benefit from an energy audit, to show the resident where to make improvements.
"You'd think there'd be more demand," he said, "but those who need it the most can't afford it."
An energy audit, Molesevich said, can cost several hundred dollars.
"Look at your roof," he said. "If the snow has melted off, you're wasting heat."
The problem, Bickhart said, is that even though there are numerous programs available, some people just won't take advantage of them.
"Some homeowners and landlords are just not willing to apply," he said. "I've even offered to fill out the application for them. I don't know whether it's pride or fear or ignorance."
n E-mail comments to wlaepple@dailyitem.com
News
Heating costs forcing some from homes
- News
-
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
-
New Berlin pushes to acquire school
NEW BERLIN -- The Borough Council sold the property where the New Berlin Elementary School is to the precursor of the Mifflinburg Area School District for $1 back in 1950. It was deeded to the district for construction of a school.
- More News Headlines
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
