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Ameren Missouri launches program to help customers return to permanent housing

FILE -- Ameren Missouri sign
KMIZ
FILE -- Ameren Missouri sign

ST.LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

Ameren Missouri is piloting a program that it says will help people with housing difficulties get back on their feet.

The New Start Energy Relief program will provide $500,000 annually to customers in need, for a total of $1.5 million over the next three years.

The program will provide up to $1,000 for each eligible Ameren Missouri customer.

To be eligible, applicants must have been Ameren Missouri customers with previous electric service, have an outstanding bill and have been unhoused or spent time in a homeless shelter in the past year. People can learn more about the New Start Energy Relief program by visiting AmerenMissouri.com/NewStart.

Ameren says the funds may be used to pay off past due energy balances, including late-pay charges, that are a barrier to a customer's permanent housing.

Ameren Missouri also offers other energy assistance options. Customers struggling to pay their energy bills can visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance to learn about options including flexible payment , Clean Slate, Keeping Current, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Pick A Due Date.

Ameren Missouri says it has partnered with agencies that serve the unhoused to offer this pilot program.

"We know many who are unhoused, have outstanding energy bills and trying to pay off past debt can be a barrier to establishing a new residence. By removing the barrier of energy debt, families throughout our service territory will be better positioned to secure permanent housing," Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, said in a news release.

Ameren says customers can also support neighbors in need by donating to the Dollar More program. Program participants can add $1 (or more) per month to their energy bill, which helps provide energy assistance funding to people in need.

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Joushua Blount

Joushua Blount hails from Cleveland, Ohio and has a bachelor’s degree in media communications from the University of Toledo. He also has a master’s degree from the University Of Alabama. Roll Tide!

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