The HEAT Fund Keeps 3,500 Nova Scotian Households Warm this Winter

Each year, The Home Energy Assistance Top Up Fund, or HEAT Fund, helps thousands of individuals and families in Nova Scotia keep their homes warm during the winter months. In 2020, more than 3,500 households received support from this life-changing program.

Linda Kennedy was a recipient of the HEAT Fund. Living on long-term disability in Halifax, she often found herself turning down the heat to save money. After applying for the program, she received $400 towards her power account. “It affects everything when you’re cold; when your feet are cold, everything is cold,” she explains. “But with the money from the fund and being able to go up a few degrees. Wow, what a difference.”

This year, the Fund helped even more struggling Nova Scotians, thanks to Nova Scotia Power. In January, the company announced  an additional contribution of $500,000 and changed the program eligibility to ensure anyone in need could access the Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The HEAT Fund is administered by The Salvation Army and funded by the Nova Scotia Government and Nova Scotia Power. 

“The HEAT Fund is essential for us to help Nova Scotians across our communities,” says Major Wade Budgell, divisional commander of The Salvation Army. “What began in 1997 as a humble but mighty fund of $16,000, has grown into a strong but mighty partnership enabling The Salvation Army to serve even more Nova Scotian households in a time of crisis.”