HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 10/2/2018 - Memorandum From Lisa Rosintoski Re: Utilities Affordability Portfolio And Income Qualified Assistance Program UpdateUtilities
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222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
DATE: September 27, 2018
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Lisa Rosintoski, Deputy Director- Utilities Customer Connections
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: Utilities Affordability Portfolio and Income Qualified Assistance Program Update
Bottom Line:
In 2018, Utilities staff has worked with local service providers, regional partners, and subject matter
experts to identify participation barriers for low income customers. Most pervasive barriers are
transportation, accessibility, convenience, and access to trusted resources. Utilities has implemented
engagement and communication strategies to address these barriers and help residents more easily
participate in our low-income programs. A comprehensive communication, outreach and
engagement strategy is the cornerstone of resident awareness and participation that is more robust
based on the Time-of-Day (TOD) rate, effective October 1, 2018.
Participation 2018
Direct Assistance: Dollars provided directly to customers in the form of bill payment
assistance. Includes Payment Assistance Fund, Energy Outreach Colorado/Payment
Assistance Fund matching, Solar Affordability Program, and Medical Assistance Program.
The Solar Affordability Program has sunset with the introduction of the Income Qualified
Assistance Program. Accruing solar credits will be used to assist low-income customers in
early 2019.
Indirect Assistance: Dollars provided indirectly to customers in the form of efficient
materials installation or services that increase energy and water efficiency. Includes Larimer
County Conservation Corp, Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP), and Colorado’s
Affordable Energy Efficiency Program (CARE).
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4E9F08D-4988-4ADA-8377-119606478D07
9/26/2018
9/26/2018
9/26/2018
9/27/2018
2018 Portfolio Status Updates
2016 2017 2018
ALL Affordability Program Assistance Dollars Total
$204,483
$275,054
$353,370
ALL Affordability Program Assistance Household Total
877
1,100
1,534
ALL Affordability Program Assistance Average
Dollars/Household
$233
$250
$230
Direct Assistance Dollars Total
$120,269
$147,574
$137,213
Direct Assistance Households* 499 661 556
Direct Assistance Average Dollars/Household
$241
$223
$247
Indirect Assistance Household Total
$84,214
$127,480
$216,157
Indirect Assistance Customers** 378 439 978
Indirect Assistance Average Dollars/Household
$223
$290
$221
*IQAP data not included due to 10/1/18 start date
**includes Larimer County Conservation Corp, Energy
Outreach Colorado Efficiency Projects (i.e. Nonprofit
Energy Efficiency Program), Colorado Energy
Assistance Program
Utilities Affordability Program Participation Savings per household/year Total Investment
*1,126 applications sent to qualified LEAP participants; 74% enrollment rate
Larimer County Conservation Corp
$100,000
Income Qualified Assistance Program (IQAP)*
Medical Assistance Program
Payment Assistance Fund
Colorado’s Affordable Energy Efficiency Program (CARE)
EOC Efficiency Programs (NEEP/MFU)
Solar Affordability Program
$244
829
131
325
53
500
19
425
23% rate reduction
$127, 19% Utility bill reduction
$251
16% gas, 8% electric reduction
Engagement and Outreach Plans
Increase outreach and visibility of Utility Affordability programs through strengthened partnerships,
and increased community education and outreach.
Provide UAP information at community-centered locations, i.e. Senior Center and Northside
Aztlan
Provide information at income-qualified residential facilities where residents are billed
separately and would be able to participate in program offerings (i.e. Woodbridge Senior
Living, etc)
Work with multifamily properties, tenants, and other identified groups to provide behavior
change guidance, educational opportunities, and inform of available programs and services
Offer UAP materials and website information in Spanish
Send IQAP application through direct mail and via email communication to qualified LEAP
residents
Community-wide awareness of programs through Utilities bill inserts, social
media/Facebook, partners
Leverage existing community events to engage low-income customers
Provide 1:1 interaction in Utilities Administration Building lobby during LEAP application
period
Maintain seasonally appropriate outreach campaigns to provide ongoing engagement
strategies
2018-2019 Strategic Partnerships
Collaborate with low-income service providers such as La Familia-The Family Center and
Catholic Charities to provide UAP materials and customer education resulting in simple,
streamlined application processes
Partner with Discover Goodwill’s Mission in Motion (mobile office) for LEAP sign-up days
to provide a convenient, customer focused application process
Collaborate with other key stakeholders including Social Sustainability Department, Senior
Advisory Board, and Energy Outreach Colorado to effectively reach low-income customers
Partner with the Professional for Seniors group and attend the December Children in Need
event
Collaborate with Finance, Sustainability and Recreation to explore cross-promotion
opportunities
Work with cross-City team to explore consolidated low-income application options
Integrate messaging and outreach with Sustainability and Neighborhood Services where
possible
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4E9F08D-4988-4ADA-8377-119606478D07
Partner with Housing Catalyst and PSD to leverage non-LEAP income-qualifying programs;
explore other income-qualification platforms to maximize our reach and impact to target
audience in the future
Communicate with Boards, Commissions and impacted stakeholder/trade organizations
Ongoing and expanded service provider engagement
o Regular email communications
o Host annual gathering to share information
o Attendance at appropriate community group meetings
o Offering educational resources and support
o Facilitating meetings or presentations
o Event presence and materials distribution
o Neighborhood canvassing
CC: Cyril Vidergar, Assistant City Attorney
Randy Reuscher, Utility Rate Analyst
Gretchen Stanford, Community Engagement Manager
Crystal Shafii, Program Coordinator Supervisor
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4E9F08D-4988-4ADA-8377-119606478D07
$28/month
$12,423
$82,641
$16,695
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4E9F08D-4988-4ADA-8377-119606478D07