Bryan Cutchen, Oakridge City Administrator

Amy Anderson, City of Hillsboro Utility Billing Manager

Carol Canham, City of Harrisburg

Deanna Rios, Oregon Public Utility Commission

Sheri Gutierrez, CAPECO

https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/energy-weatherization/Pages/Low-Income-Household-Water-Assistance-Program.aspx

https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/energy-weatherization/Pages/utility-bill-payment-assistance.aspx

ok thank you!

Do storm water charges also qualify?

Is there a floor and ceiling for crisis payments?

What about other fees? Examples: franchise, backflow, service fees like disconnection, tampering, or other city fees collected on utility bill.

Thanks, I know that pinpoints extreme situations.

Thank you

https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/energy-weatherization/Documents/08-09-2021-LIHWA-Draft-State-Plan-for-Oregon.pdf

Is this a one-time payment per customer or can be for multiple months/continuing payments?

Can a customer be eligible to get a credit for future months usage?

Jill - this is a one-time funding that will serve as a bulk payment.

With two funding sources that need to be tracked, can customers apply for both?

I don't have a microphone, but by outreach do you mean how do we communicate to our customers about this opportunity?

@ Carol . Yes.

wrt outreach, I've considered advertising on Fresh EBT. Might be a good channel as SNAP recipients have already met income criteria.

Radio Ads, Social Media, Utility inserts, Flyers around communities in each service area, business contacts, CTUIR liaison, DHS office referrals,

Just spoke with our CSC contact about putting a flyer in with the monthly bill.

And will advertise through the usual communication channels: facebook, newsletter, etc.

City of Donald: We can advertise in our monthly newsletters, website, community boards, social media, business groups, flash alerts.

Partnering with community based organizations may be a good way to reach out to customers as CBOs are a trusted information source

Good idea, thank you.

Great feedback! Keep it coming!

Has the draft vendor agreement changed since the one circulated about a month ago?

@ Rachel. Yes. We will eliminate one unnecessary portion and qualify (strengthen) another. But it is 95% unchanged. Input from utilities have been very helpful.

OHCS - Thank you, outstanding presentation.

Does this program supercede any other programs we already have in place?

There was a question about whether customers can apply for assistance through both funding sources

joy.aldrich@oregon.gov - you can email me directly.

to clarify should we expect vendor agreements by Sept 15ish?

Thanks for the info. I assume the slide deck will be made available?

thank you, much simpler that way

awesome, thanks

What about client's that have received OERAP water assistance, it was said that currently a client/HH cannot receive LIHEAP if they received electricity assistance with OERAP. Would it be the same situation with LIHWA?

I will check with my director to see if she received that in writing. Thank you

Sorry, I may have missed the answer to if there was an amount cap to the crisis payment?

Will this recording be housed anywhere for future reference?

Eleesa - Yes, this and the other two recordings will be available on our website. Hopefully, I can have them posted by the middle of next week at the latest.

Michelle Crisis Cap is the same as regular payment. Cap is $1000.

Thank you Connie :)

Thank you Connie and Michelle! :)

Recordings here https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/energy-weatherization/Pages/Low-Income-Household-Water-Assistance-Program.aspx

OERAP applications are all done online for rent, electric & water assistance and through our local Oregon Human Development Corporation (OHDC) for our Spanish speaking clients, however we have an inhouse referral system with our housing case managers to refer client's.

I just wanted to share; I had the oppertunity to meet with staff from Congresswoman Bonamici's office and I let them know how excited I am about this program opportunity for Oregonians, and how hard you all were working at OHCS to make this sucesssful. Also how much we would all appreciate her continued support to keep this program going long term to help meet this critical need!

I have also reached out to our local Hospital's Patient Financial Services staff to share all of the services our agency has available as they get tons of people needing assistance with their hospital bills so I figured they could give them my business card to come or call for an appointment.

I just looked around for my cat (put I'm at work) LOL

*but

Don't. It's very sweet.

I appreciate your time in explaining this program. Thanks!

thanks all!

I appreciate the clarification on payments, updated timeline, and the utility polls :) Knowing how long vendor agreements could potentially take to complete is helpful.

Thank you very much. very informative..

Thank you for this presentation and your time

Thank you