RIGA, Sept 13 (LETA) - Estimates have been drawn that up to 55 percent of households might find it difficult to pay their bills in the coming winter, said Gints Kaminskis, the chairman of the Latvian Association of Local Governments (LPS).

The number of households applying for housing benefits this season might grow from 22,000 to 44,000.

Kaminskis said that people at present are uncertain about what to expect this winter because they have not yet received the big bills.

LPS has turned to the government, calling to introduce state intervention to ensure that energy resource prices would be at the level people are able to pay. Intervention measures should be based at the average heating prices last season.

Kaminskis said that local governments will not have sufficient resources to ensure the necessary assistance to its residents.

Solutions this season are necessary to help not only residents, but also companies and service providers.