U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer recently announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $403,447 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds to eight Native American tribes in his 6th Congressional District, which includes the Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam tribes.

PGST will receive $25,387 while Suquamish will receive $15,220, a news release states. The program provides heating and cooling assistance to roughly 6.7 million households annually.

“As we head into the winter months, many families struggle to pay their heating and energy bills. That’s particularly true in tribal communities,” Kilmer said, adding, “That’s a big deal for families trying to make ends meet.”

The program not only aids in making homes more energy efficient through weatherization but also provides support during energy emergencies caused by disasters or extreme weather. It also can help reduce cooling expenses, restore disconnected energy services, prevent potential energy cutoffs, and facilitate minor energy-related home repairs, per the release.

The program “plays a critical role in ensuring our community stays safe and warm during the coldest parts of the year,” said Cheryl Miller, PGST executive director of Children & Family Services. “Without it, some of our tribal elders and families would face significant challenges covering energy costs.”

Suquamish vice chair Joshua Bagley added, “Ensuring that our elders and tribal families are warm in the winter and can get cool during our increasingly hot summers is a priority of the Suquamish Tribe.”