The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for the administration of the Fiscal Year 2025 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program aims to provide financial assistance to low-income families and individuals to help reduce heating and cooling costs.
Organizations interested in participating must notify the DCA by emailing fidel.ekhelar@dca.nj.gov before the end of business on April 19, 2024. Eligible applicants include local government units, community-based organizations, and nonprofit entities with an IRS 501(c)(3) designation registered to operate in New Jersey. The email should contain contact information for the organization's main contact person and proof of IRS 501(c)(3) designation.
Jacquelyn A. Suárez, DCA Acting Commissioner, stated, “We encourage nonprofit organizations and local governments with experience in running energy assistance programs to submit an email of interest before the April 19, 2024 deadline.” She emphasized that expressing interest is a crucial step toward eligibility to help administer LIHEAP.
DCA Assistant Commissioner Janel Winter, who also serves as director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources, highlighted the importance of community partners in administering this program. “When it comes to keeping New Jersey’s residents warm in the winter and cool in the summer months, we rely on our community partners,” she said.
A mandatory Technical Assistance Session will be scheduled later this month for interested organizations. The RFP can be accessed via the DCA SAGE portal at https://dcasage.intelligrants.com/Portal.asp. Questions regarding the RFP may be directed to fidel.ekhelar@dca.nj.gov. The submission deadline for proposals is May 17, 2024.
DCA provides various programs and services such as local government management and finance, fire safety, affordable housing production, rental assistance, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.
