{"id":818,"date":"2019-01-23T15:53:19","date_gmt":"2019-01-23T15:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efficiencyforall.org\/wordpress\/?p=818"},"modified":"2022-09-15T21:10:01","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T21:10:01","slug":"home-energy-affordability-in-connecticut-the-affordability-gap-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efficiencyforall.org\/wordpress\/2019\/01\/23\/home-energy-affordability-in-connecticut-the-affordability-gap-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"HOME ENERGY AFFORDABILITY IN CONNECTICUT: The Affordability Gap (2017)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Connecticut\u2019s Home Energy Affordability Gap increased in 2017 relative to the prior year. As has been true for several years, home energy costs continue to pose a crushing burden to low- income residents of the state. Particularly for households with incomes in \u201cDeep Poverty,\u201d home energy
costs threaten not only the ability of Connecticut households to retain access to energy services, but also threaten access to housing, food, medical care and other necessities of life. The Home Energy Affordability Gap in Connecticut leaves an aggregate Gap substantially higher than available assistance resources. The size of the Affordability Gap indicates the extent of the home energy affordability crisis in Connecticut.<\/p>\n

Home energy unaffordability in Connecticut is a statewide phenomenon. It affects areas of the state both rural and urban. It affects areas of the state both North and South, both East and West. The discussion below continues a series of annual reports examining home energy affordability in Connecticut. The Home Energy Affordability Gap measures the dollar amount by which actual home energy bills exceed affordable home energy bills. In this respect, \u201caffordability\u201d is examined in terms of home energy burdens, bills as a percentage of income. For example, if a Connecticut household has an annual income of $12,000 and an annual home energy bill of $3,000, that household has a home energy burden of 25% ($3,000 \/ $12,000 = 0.25). An affordable home energy burden is set at 6%.\u00b9<\/p>\n

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\u00b9 The 6% is a calculated figure. It is based on the premise that utility costs should not exceed 20% of shelter costs. Moreover, it is based on the premise that total shelter costs should not exceed 30% of income. 20% of 30% yields a affordable utility burden.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the affordability gap in Connecticut, please find the full report here<\/a>, or contact:<\/p>\n\n\n

Operation Fuel, Inc.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-240
Hartford, CT, 06106<\/p>\n\n\n\n