no I logged in on my phone

Connie Johnson, CSC

Dan Elliott, Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Housing and Community Services

Jessi Adams, Utility Policy Coordinator, CAPO

Eric Noll (he/him), State Lobbyist, City of Portland

Serene Grant. Clackamas County Energy Assistance.

Lori Scharton, Energy Assistance Program Director, NeighborImpact - Central Oregon

Hello, Michelle Ehara, Office Manager for Community Action-Energy Services in Salem.

Rachel King, Amity City Councilor

Chris Storey, WES Assistant Director (utility)

Dan Brown, Community Action Team, serving Tillamook, Clatsop, and Columbia Counties.

Good morning, Mariah Acton with OHCS joining from Eugene

Sheri Gutierrez, Lead Energy Coordinator - CAPECO

Emily Hurd, Energy specialist, Community Connection of Northeast Oregon

Mike Thomas, Amity City Administrator

Hello, Corbett White, Financial Assistance Program Manager for the Portland Water Bureau

Kasey Buckles, Interim Utilities Assistance Program Manager, Mid Columbia Community Action

Re: Q3 -We have long term relationships with utilities providing both heat and water, but not all places just providing water.

Totally agree with my Councilor!

Thank you, Lori! That was very helpful.

That was helpful, thank you Lori

There is a process in the LIHEAP program that allows us to pay electricity that is in the landlords name. I cant speak for OHCS but I would guess that there would be a similar process in place for this?

Thanks Jessi!

Does that decrease the tenant's rent?

When it is in the landlord's name, that is usually a direct payment.

And how to make sure the benefit is passed on to the low-income tenant?

What is the definition of a 'utility'? We have many mobile parks that are on the water provider list from our environmental health dept.

Could these funds be used towards arrearages for irrigation utilities?

Based on the federal stipulations, irrigation utilities are not included in this program. However, we can include wastewater and stormwater charges.

Was it said that eligibility will be 150% FPL?

Rachel, the eligibility that we will use is 60% state median income, which is very similar to 150% FPL. This is the same eligibility used for the LIHEAP (energy assistance) program.

For success: clear direction on how to identify eligible customers and smooth flow of information in the program.

Thanks Chris!

Because of the renter barrier, most of our eligible LIH are seniors on fixed incomes. Would like to broaden the program reach

Thank you for the clarification.

Will we be using a payment matrix like with LIHEAP or will this be more like a floor to ceiling payment based on arrearages?

I see importance in sharing enough info that people can fairly easily see whether or not they are eligible before they make that first contact to request assistance.

Thank you!

Next steps: connecting with the team more on the program and looking at the LIHEAP model

Thank you all for all the work that has already went into making this happen across our state!

Thank you for the details so far for the program. Income and type. Next question is far down the road, but multiple requests on a single application can get tricky if they are expected to all be taken care of in the same day.

I received confirmation that the LIWHA program will operate very similar to the LIHEAP which helps me to know what to expect. My next step will be to set up a meeting the Multnomah County to discuss the program design.

Keep it as simple as possible! Thank you for all the work that has already gone into making this a reality.