Good Neighbour Energy Fund officially up and running for 2014 season

The Good Neighbour Energy Fund officially launched for the 2014 home heating season on Tuesday at an event at The Salvation Army’s Halifax Centre of Hope.

The program provides emergency funds for individuals and families in heating crises situations. It is an initiative of Nova Scotia Power (NSP) administered by The Salvation Army, with funding from NSP, its employees and customers, and the Government of Nova Scotia.

“I have seen first-hand the difficult struggle people have had just to provide the essentials of life for their families,” says Mark Furey, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “Nova Scotians deserve to feel safe and warm in their own homes. That’s why the Province of Nova Scotia has committed over five million dollars to the Good Neighbour Energy Fund since 2008.”

The Good Neighbour Energy Fund was founded in 1997 and has helped thousands of Nova Scotians in crisis in the years since by paying for their home heating costs, including firewood, coal, fuel oil, propane and electricity. In 2013, the program assisted 1,600 people.

“Nova Scotia Power is a proud partner in the Good Neighbour Energy Fund, which helps support families in need across Nova Scotia,” says Bob Hanf, Nova Scotia Power President and CEO. “I want to thank The Salvation Army for their tireless efforts in administering this program, and acknowledge the generosity and support that our employees and customers have demonstrated for this program over the years.”

Major Alison Cowling, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in the Maritimes, says that programs like the Good Neighbour Energy Fund are central to The Salvation Army’s work of providing hope and dignity to people in need.

“We value our partnership with Nova Scotia Power and the provincial government and how it helps us continue to assist Nova Scotian families facing emergency heating situations this winter,” Major Cowling says.

Applications for the Good Neighbour Energy Fund are accepted from Jan. 15 through April 15. To be considered for assistance from the Good Neighbour Energy Fund, the following criteria must be met:
— Household is low income and located in Nova Scotia
— Household is in an emergency heating situation
— Household members have not received GNEF assistance in the past 36 months
— Head of household completes & submits an application providing all requested information and supporting documents

For more information on the Good Neighbour Energy Fund, including an application form, CLICK HERE or contact the GNEF office at 422-3435.