LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Gov. Rick Snyder is joining with advocacy groups to raise awareness for Michigan families living without heat this winter.
Snyder proclaimed February "Keep Michigan Warm" month to highlight "the growing and critical need for home heating assistance in Michigan." It was requested by advocacy group Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm.
Snyder says "no one should ever have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family." He says many families are forced to spend more than half of their annual income on energy costs.
In 2011, Michigan lawmakers created the Vulnerable Household Warmth Fund to provide heating assistance to 95,000 low-income Michigan residents. But the fix was for that winter only.
Snyder says it is "important to remember a permanent solution for funding has yet to be developed."
