Alabama's REACH Program Evaluation Summary

Abstract
The Alabama REACH Program was a residential energy assistance demonstration program providing a variety of services to LIHEAP clients. REACH services included weatherization, energy education, energy audits, appliance repair or replacement and budget management training. A one-time stipend was paid toward the client's electric utility account after the client made on-time payments for four consecutive months.

Duration
Three years: 2000 through 2003

Grant Amount
$1,000,000 (2000 funds)

Goals
The overall goal was to help low-income elderly or disabled clients better manage their energy use and cost and to help stabilize their economic situation. Specific goals included:

Reduction of all types of energy used in the household
Reduction of household energy expenses
Reduction of energy burden (percentage of total household income spent on energy bills)
Elimination or reduction of late payments for energy bills
Elimination or reduction of weather-related health risks for family members
Improved comfort in the house
Elimination of client having to decide which bill to pay —energy or medicine
Improved safety in the house by removing old space heaters and appliances

Client Eligibility
Target population was LIHEAP clients who had the following situations:

High energy burden
Current utility bill that the client is unable to pay
Home has been weatherized
At least fifty-five years old, retired, unemployed and/or disabled
Income level at or below 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines

Client Services
Clients were selected from four geographic areas across the state. The diverse target population included clients living in metropolitan, small town and rural areas. Each Community Action Agency office randomly divided their clients into two groups, a control group and an enhanced group.

The control group received energy education, LIHEAP assistance and utility usage evaluation. The enhanced group received energy education, LIHEAP assistance, utility usage evaluation, budget/financial counseling, energy payment assistance and evaluation, and enhanced energy assistance measures which could include installation of energy-efficient refrigerators, electric water heaters, natural gas or propane water heaters, window air conditioners, space heaters, programmable thermostats, low-flow showerheads, compact fluorescent lamps and electric and natural gas or propane cook stoves.

Outcomes
The final results of the REACH Program indicated that on average there was very little economic change for the clients. The data analysis showed:

Consumption of all forms of energy used by the clients remained statistically the same
Energy burden for the control group and the enhanced group remained statistically the same
Fewer clients in the enhanced group needed emergency assistance paying heating and/or cooling bills
There was not a significant reduction in late payments for utility bills except for those clients that used propane
Both groups were found to be moving from the 'at risk' or 'in crisis' classification towards a more stable classification

Even though the results indicate that participants did not see a statistically significant change in their energy burden and utility bill, REACH clients did receive the following benefits:

The control group reported being more comfortable in their homes during the winter and summer
The enhanced group had slightly fewer physician visits for weather-related health problems
Some clients were able to pay their utility bills on time because energy bills were lower though not significantly lower
On-time bill payments eliminated late pay charges and reduced disconnects
Counseling helped clients budget their money for improved financial stability
Reduced risks of house fires because faulty heaters were replaced
Water consumption and bills were reduced with low-flow showerheads
Both groups had more pride in their homes

Contact the LIHEAP Clearinghouse for the full-text evaluation report.

Page Last Updated: March 29, 2007