The Georgia Community Action Association (GCAA) is sounding the alarm on proposed federal budget cuts that threaten the integrity of two essential lifelines for Georgia’s most vulnerable residents: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

These programs are not just budget line items—they are essential tools in the fight against poverty, helping millions of Americans stay safe, healthy, and housed. GCAA calls on community members and lawmakers alike to advocate for full and sustained funding of both LIHEAP and CSBG in the FY2026 federal budget.

“Programs like LIHEAP and CSBG are not optional—they are essential,” said Consuela Thompson, GCAA Executive Director. “They help keep the lights on, meals on the table, and dignity intact for working families, seniors, and children across Georgia. Cutting these programs would have a devastating ripple effect across our state and country.”

LIHEAP helps low-income households afford utility bills, protecting residents from life- threatening temperatures. In FY2023 alone, LIHEAP reached over 2.1 million households with a disabled family member, 1 million with young children, and 2.4 million households with elderly residents—groups especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures and high

energy costs. With Georgia’s long, hot summers and increasingly erratic climate patterns, cooling assistance is just as critical as winter heating.

The Trump Administration’s recent proposal to remove LIHEAP ignores its proven role in safeguarding health, reducing hospitalizations, and preventing utility disconnections. Without LIHEAP, thousands of Georgians could be forced to choose between medicine, food, and electricity.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) empowers Community Action Agencies, such as GCAA, to provide tailored, local solutions to economic sustainability. From job readiness programs and youth mentoring to emergency housing and food assistance, CSBG-funded initiatives reach families where they are and help them move forward.

Today, CSBG is under serious threat, with the very real possibility of being eliminated from the budget. Any reduction in funding would drastically undermine the ability of Georgia’s Community Action Agencies to serve our communities—at a time when economic uncertainty and soaring living costs have only deepened the demand for their critical support.

GCAA urges Georgia’s Congressional delegation and community leaders to take decisive action:

• Fully fund LIHEAP and CSBG in the FY2026 federal budget, recognizing these programs as essential engines of economic growth that bolster small and rural communities.
• Reject any proposals that eliminate or drastically cut critical safety net programs— programs that keep families working, housed, and invested in their local economies.
• Support legislation that maintains a strong federal commitment to expanding economic opportunity, ensuring communities across Georgia can grow, thrive, and compete.

The Georgia Community Action Association remains committed to helping every Georgian by ensuring access to opportunity, stability, and support. We urge all Georgians to contact their representatives and demand that these critical programs be preserved and strengthened.

About Georgia Community Action Association

Georgia Community Action Association (GCAA) is a statewide membership organization representing over 20 Community Action Agencies and 3 Public Entities dedicated to serving
all 159 counties across Georgia. Together, we work to reduce poverty, revitalize communities, and empower families on their path to economic independence. GCAA provides training, technical assistance, and a robust human services network that delivers vital support to Georgia’s most vulnerable populations. To learn more or find out how you can get involved, visit www.georgiacaa.org.