201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #1101
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5173
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: APRIL 4, 2023
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
DIRECT PAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
AND DEVELOPMENT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 05
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1) Approve a Direct Payment Agreement No. 23Y-5006 (Agreement) between the State of California, Department of Community Services and Development, and the City of Anaheim (City) to receive federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant funding to be applied to accounts of eligible electric utility customers for a term commencing April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2026; and
2) Authorize the Public Utilities General Manager or designees, on behalf of the City, to execute the Agreement and any related documents and take any and all actions necessary or advisable to implement and administer the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
At their meeting on February 22, 2023, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) recommended that the City Council approve these actions.
Since 2003, Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) has assisted eligible qualified customers through receipt of federal grant funds administered through the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). The proposed Agreement permits APU to directly receive LIHEAP grants and apply credits to qualifying customers who have difficulty paying their electric bills. Over the previous three calendar years, LIHEAP funding has provided 5,600 grants totaling more than $2.2 million in assistance for APU customers, or an average of approximately $390 per bill credit. The current agreement (Attachment 2) is valid through March 31, 2023, and the new Agreement issued by CSD will be valid through March 31, 2026 (Attachment 1).
Residential customers are generally limited to one bill credit per year through LIHEAP.
Qualification of residents is performed by the Community Action Partnership of Orange Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Direct Payment Agreement with the State of California Department of Community Services and Development
April 4, 2023
County on behalf of the State of California, and the amount of bill assistance is based on factors such as income, household size, and balance overdue. The household income qualification is based on 60% of the State Median Income. For a household of 4 persons, the annual income level is currently about $62,000.
APU will continue to conduct outreach through community events, social media, website, bill inserts, and notifications to customers about available assistance programs, including LIHEAP. APU customer service representatives are trained to provide all available options that include third-party grants, income-qualified discounts, payment plans, extensions, weatherization services, and other home efficiency programs to lower customer bills and avoid disruption of service.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Availability of LIHEAP grant funding is subject to federal allocations, and reduces potential write-offs for APU’s Fiscal Year 2022/23 budget. Subsequent years will be subject to federal fund availability and City Council’s approval for budget appropriations.
Respectfully submitted,
Dukku Lee
Public Utilities General Manager
Attachments:
1. New Direct Payment Agreement 23Y-5006
2. Current Direct Payment Agreement 20Y-2006