The number of households unable to afford heating bills in the state will rise again this winter. That’s the message from Operation Fuel, the non-profit that aims to help low-income families with utility bills.
Their study into the affordability gap shows that more than 305,000 households in the state will struggle to afford to heat their homes. The gap between what they need and what they can afford will be an average of $2,560 per household, or a total of $784 million.
The number of low-income households has risen in the state, and the price of both electricity and natural gas has risen. Such households can find that heating bills amount to more than 50 percent of their incomes. Operation Fuel’s budget allows it to give grants of $500 per household per year.
Foreclosures Down in the State
The number of foreclosure auctions in Connecticut fell in November. It's the first time in almost two years that number has dropped. Auctions of foreclosed homes were down 19 percent from the same month last year.
The numbers come from the online property site RealtyTrac. First time foreclosure notices -- the start of the foreclosure process -- were also down, falling by 40 percent. Connecticut's foreclosure rates have run above the national average as the state struggles to clear a backlog of foreclosure cases.
Connecticut Gets Healthier
Connecticut can claim to be one of the healthiest states in the nation. The Nutmeg State came fourth in the United Health Foundation’s annual ranking, up from seventh last year. The ranking takes into account a wide range of health, environmental, and economic factors.
Connecticut has a high rate of immunization among children, low numbers of occupational deaths and fewer smokers than other states.
