The United Way of Bruce Grey is temporarily pausing new applications to its Utility Assistance Program as demand continues to surge across the region.
The pause will run until July 2, 2026, and comes as the organization says it’s facing unprecedented pressure on limited funding to help households struggling with emergency heating costs like propane, furnace oil, and cord wood.
Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says the decision comes down to a sharp and unexpected rise in demand.
"The big driver is looking at the data," she said. "Three out of four applicants to this program are new to the program...we did not anticipate this level of need."
She says the organization has already exceeded its budget for the year by roughly $15,000 in just the first half of the year.
Dobbyn says many of those turning to the program are facing financial pressure for the first time, a trend she links to a broader affordability crisis.
"People are not earning enough money to pay the bills...to pay for rent, to pay for these high gas prices, to keep the jobs, to keep the cars on the road, to feed their families," she said.
The program supports emergency heating needs across Bruce and Grey counties, but Dobbyn says the demand has grown faster than available resources.
The pause has been timed for the warmer months, something she says is meant to avoid deeper disruptions heading into winter, when demand typically spikes.
"We want to protect the ability to fund heat in the winter because that’s really important and life sustaining," she said. "So we took the horrible decision of pausing the program now."
During the pause, households already in the system will continue to be processed, and the United Way says staff will still connect people with other community supports where possible.
The program is set to reopen July 3.
