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Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood in Hudson has secured $290,000 in state funding to provide essential home heating and nutrition assistance to Columbia County residents over the age of 60. The funding, part of a larger $400,000 allocation from New York state, aims to support seniors who struggle to access food and heating during the winter months.
According to the Daily Gazette, the funding will be administered through a contract with the Columbia County Office for the Aging. Residents can apply for the program at the county's aging office, as stated by Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood Executive Director Joan Hunt. Eligibility for the program is determined by criteria set by the federal Home Energy Assistance Program, including monthly income, household size, and other factors.
The funding will allow Greater Hudson Promise to continue its work in providing emergency care to county residents. Hunt anticipates that most requests will focus on heating needs rather than food. The program also expands the county's home-delivered meals initiative, offering an additional 70 to 100 meals daily to seniors at various locations, as reported by Greater Hudson Promise.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the state to address unmet needs for aging services. In April, Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature allocated $53 million for such services, aiming to assist seniors on waiting lists for care. The Columbia County Office for the Aging Director Nina Benvenuto emphasized the importance of the program, noting its role in allowing seniors to remain in their homes and communities.