REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Help Your Neighbor Program for City Matches and Approve Related Budget Amendments
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
In 1990, the City Council approved a Give a Little... Help a Lot Donation Campaign. This campaign provides residents with a simple way to support various community and recreational services. Within the campaign, there are various programs with specific purposes including the Help Your Neighbor program (Program). This Program provides emergency assistance with utility bill payments for Santa Clara residents who may be experiencing financial hardship.
The Help Your Neighbor program is a one-time option for Santa Clara residents in need of assistance with paying their utility bill. In order to qualify for the Program, the resident must have exhausted and provided proof of the following options:
* Establishing a payment plan/arrangement with the City; and
o If a payment plan is established and financial assistance is still needed, the resident can request an extension for one year.
* Proactively seeking assistance through other programs such as the Financial Rate Assistance Program, Medical Rate Assistance Program, and the Household Energy Assistance Program.
If City staff determines the resident has gone through the above options and assistance is still required, staff will gather the appropriate documentation and submit a memo to the Director of Finance and City Manager for approval.
In addition, as approved by the City Council on January 14, 2020, the City's false alarm fees were updated as a result of an agreement with a new residential and business alarm management system. With this new agreement, additional fees under the false alarm category were approved. To address resident concerns regarding these increased/additional fees, donations from the Help Your Neighbor Program can also be used for residents who are experiencing challenges paying for t...
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