Weathering the Storm: Finding Warmth and Stability in the Coldest Months
In Maryland, February can feel like the longest month of the year. The holidays are behind us, spring still feels far away, and the bitter cold has settled in. One of the most noticeable effects is on our utility bills.
For many Maryland renters, the rising cost of utilities has become what some describe as a “death by a thousand cuts.” According to the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC), the cumulative effect of BGE’s three-year multi-year rate plan means that by the end of 2026, an average residential customer will have paid $810 more for gas and electricity than they did in 2023.
In 2024 alone, combined bills for average residential customers jumped by an average of $14.51 per month, followed by additional increases of roughly $3.14 per month in 2025 and $3.72 per month in January 2026. These rising costs are driven largely by “delivery” charges for infrastructure and mandated surcharges, creating a growing affordability crisis for households already stretched thin.
For families living paycheck to paycheck or on fixed incomes, these increases are destabilizing.
When you’re choosing between keeping the heat on and buying groceries, a few extra dollars each month can snowball into hundreds over the year. The impact is profound. We see it every day. Utility arrears become eviction notices. Late fees compound. Stress rises. Stability slips further out of reach.
At Harford Family House, we know that housing stability is more than four walls and a roof. It’s about predictability. It’s about being able to turn on the heat without fear. It’s about families knowing that a cold snap won’t push them into crisis.
That’s why, even in these final weeks of winter, our team continues to work alongside residents to build financial resilience through budgeting support, connections to utility assistance programs, employment resources, and long-term housing solutions. It’s why your support matters so much.
While the temperature outside may still hover below freezing, something powerful is happening inside our programs. Families are setting goals. Parents are increasing their income. Children are sleeping in warm, safe spaces. Volunteers are serving meals. Case managers are helping residents navigate complex systems.
Together, we are creating warmth that no winter storm can take away.