Community Concepts Receives Major Heating Assistance Funding

LEWISTON, Maine ― Community Concepts has received major additional funds for its heating improvement program in Androscoggin and Oxford counties, including a $500,000 grant from the Maine State Housing Authority and a donation of $5,000 from Atlantic National Trust founder Ted West to help cover the cost of distributing the grant.

The additional funding will allow for an expansion of the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP), which provides state-funded grants to repair or replace central heating systems for low-income households, with priority given to households that do not currently have heat.

“The additional funds mean that the most vulnerable people will not suffer in the intense cold we are experiencing this winter, as we will be able to perform repairs and replacements of heating systems as needed for those who would otherwise not be able to afford them,” said Sandy Albert, Director of Housing Improvement Services at Community Concepts.

CHIP is administered across the state by a network of local community action agencies, including Community Concepts, and the administration of the new grant is estimated to cost the agency an additional $25,000.

“The additional funds coming from Maine Housing to expand the CHIP program will be extremely beneficial to our area,” said Community Concepts CEO Shawn Yardley. “However, we still need funds to cover the critical administrative costs associated with this additional CHIP money, so we are very grateful to Ted West and Atlantic National Trust for helping our effort to expand the CHIP program in this area to keep our neighbors warm.”

"We are strong advocates of the work Community Concepts does and the impact they have on the Lewiston community. Naturally, we jumped at the opportunity to help them keep Mainers warm in the winter,” said Ted West of Atlantic National Trust.

To learn more about CHIP and other available heating assistance resources in Oxford and Androscoggin counties, visit www.community-concepts.org.

About Community Concepts

Community Concepts is a nonprofit organization supporting residents in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties with a dynamic range of programs: children and family services, transportation, heating and utility assistance, affordable housing, and financing for housing and businesses. www.Community-Concepts.org.