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United Way asks Hamilton County to keep $175,000 for 2-1-1 helpline as demand surges
Summary
United Way of Greater Chattanooga requested $175,000 from Hamilton County to sustain the 2-1-1 helpline, reporting rising call volume, improved answer rates and continued demand for food, housing and utility assistance.
Taryn Anderson, vice president of community and corporate engagement at United Way of Greater Chattanooga, asked commissioners to continue a $175,000 annual contribution to the local 2-1-1 information-and-referral service, saying demand has increased and the service connects residents to food, housing and utility help.
Anderson said United Way expects its 2-1-1 staff to handle more than 81,000 calls in the calendar year, with about 82% coming from Hamilton County. She said 2-1-1 helped facilitate more than 3,400 emergency assistance requests last year and that improvements funded by prior contributions lifted call-answer rates from 60% in fiscal 2022 to about 92% currently.
The service provides immediate referrals and longer-term connections and has an existing partnership with the county emergency management office for disaster response, Anderson said. She told commissioners operating 2-1-1 costs more than $1 million annually and that most of the cost is staff. United Way requested $175,000 to ensure continued service countywide and to support technology and resource-directory maintenance.
Commissioners asked for confirmation of the request amount and thanked United Way for the service. No formal action was taken during the meeting.
