United Way of Greater Los Angeles Announces Utility Assistance Pilot Program SHARE Partnership

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- United Way of Greater Los Angeles has partnered with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) on Subsidized Housing Assistance Relief for Energy (SHARE), a utility assistance program specifically targeting homelessness prevention.

SHARE provides relief for individuals who are struggling to receive or maintain subsidized housing due to unpaid utility debt. United Way of Greater Los Angeles was awarded with a $1.7 million grant for the program by Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, and with a $360,000 grant by SoCalGas. The grants were funded by each utility's respective shareholders.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles administers the SHARE program, working to help individuals apply for assistance, administer applications and create awareness about the program.

Outstanding utility debt can create barriers to meeting subsidized housing program guidelines for many individuals currently experiencing homelessness. Anyone who is currently or formerly homeless, meets qualifications, and has utility debt may apply to SHARE as long as funds are available. This also includes current recipients at risk of losing their subsidized housing due to outstanding utility debt.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a founding partner in this pilot program, using its extensive network and resources to reach the people who most need assistance. United Way is working with community partners to administer the applications and help individuals apply for SHARE.

"Ending homelessness and providing the necessary assistance for our most vulnerable neighbors requires multi-faceted support from the community. We are proud to have partners such as SoCalGas and Southern California Edison join us in our fight to end poverty with this critical program, SHARE," said Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

"We are pleased to join with United Way of Greater Los Angeles in assisting this vulnerable population through this important pilot program," said Jill C. Anderson, vice president of customer programs and services at Southern California Edison.

"SoCalGas is proud to partner with United Way in the effort to fight homelessness and to help our customers in need through SHARE," said Sharon Tomkins, vice president of customer solutions and strategy at SoCalGas. "Affordable housing is a critical component to eradicating homelessness, and as a natural gas provider, we strive to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean energy options to every household."

United Way of Greater Los Angeles administers the SHARE program with several community partners including: APLA Health & Wellness, Disabled Resources Inc., East Rancho Dominguez Community Center, Help of Ojai, Inland Valley Hope Partners, Los Angeles County Housing Department, Salvation Army Cathedral City, Salvation Army Lancaster, Santa Clarita Valley Community Center, St. Anne's Social Services, St. John the Baptist Social Services and Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.

To apply for SHARE and check qualifications, visit SCE.com/share and socalgas.com/share to find a local participating community provider. SHARE funds are available once per the life of the program. This program runs until December 31, 2019 or until the funds are used.

In addition to SHARE, Southern California Edison provides Energy Assistance Fund (EAF), an energy bill assistance fund created to help those in need pay for their utility bills, and SoCalGas offers the Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) which enables qualifying customers to receive financial help in paying their heating and gas bills.

About United Way of Greater Los Angeles

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization fighting to end poverty by preparing students for high school graduation, college, and the workforce; housing our homeless neighbors; and guiding hard-working families towards economic mobility. United Way identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding targeted programs and advocating for change. For more information, visit http://www.UnitedWayLA.org and EveryoneInLA.org

SOURCE United Way of Greater Los Angeles