The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Greater Boston housing market has received a lot of attention as people have struggled to pay rent and mortgages and an eviction crisis looms. People aren’t just struggling to pay their direct housing costs: many also struggle with their utility costs, including electricity and natural gas. In a policy similar to the eviction moratorium, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has ordered utility companies such as Eversource and National Grid not to disconnect customers due to non-payment. That order currently expires on July 1, 2021, but many households will likely to continue struggling to make utility payments or make up missed payments. “Energy burdened” households who spend a high portion of their income on energy costs are particularly vulnerable: the typical low-income energy burden in New England is 10.5 percent.

As the moratorium on disconnections approaches an end, there are several programs to help people struggling to pay their utility bills. Municipalities can share these resources with community members through their websites, 311, social media, and hand-outs.

Besides sharing these programs, municipalities could play a more active role in utility forgiveness by establishing or partnering with a local utility assistance program for residents impacted by COVID-19; advocate to the Department of Public Utilities and their local utility for bill forgiveness for those unable to pay; and increase funding and support for weatherization and energy efficiency programs for low-income households.

Go to MAPC’s Extreme Heat Resources page for more information and resources for your residents.