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Committee approves CHN contract for conservation services; proposed $100,000 increase fails
Summary
The Utilities Committee approved a two‑year contract with the Cleveland Housing Network to deliver energy, water and sewer conservation services to low‑income homeowners at $900,000 per year; a council amendment to raise the total to $1,000,000 failed on a roll call.
The Utilities Committee on April 30 approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the director of public utilities to contract with the Cleveland Housing Network (CHN) to administer energy, water and sewer conservation services to low‑income homeowners for two years at up to $900,000 per year.
Under the proposed contract CHN would administer a city program paid from utility rate bases: $500,000 from the Division of Water, $150,000 from Water Pollution Control (WPC) and $250,000 from Cleveland Public Power (CPP). CHN described services that include water‑saving devices (aerators, low‑flow showerheads), minor plumbing repairs, electrical repairs and efficiency upgrades such as refrigerator replacements and LED lighting. CHN said it also performs panel improvements and other repairs for older homes.
CHN representative Laura Bistiani told the committee the organization served 681 households under the prior contract and said about 15% of program funding covers administrative costs. "I believe about, 15% is the administration fee," Bistiani said during questioning. CHN staff said the 15% covers salaries and back‑office costs and that the remainder is used to purchase devices and fund repairs.
Council members probed program details: how many households were served, the average cost per household, waitlist length and turnaround times, subcontractor oversight, and how the program coordinates with referral sources such as 311 and the Department of Aging. CHN said its last contract served 681 households with approximately 46 work orders recorded (CHN characterized the data as multiple services per household), gave an average per‑household cost figure in the committee exchange, and said about 300 households remain on the waiting list. CHN said emergency requests (no heat or no hot water) are prioritized during colder months.
An amendment proposed by Councilman Polensek would have raised the total annual allocation by $100,000 (to $1,000,000 total). The council clerk called the roll on the amendment; the amendment failed on the recorded vote. Committee members debated budget sources and whether additional funds would come at the expense of other line items; city representatives said divisions would examine budget reallocation if council directed more funds.
What officials said: Council members pressed for more evaluation data, including customer satisfaction survey results and clearer reporting of outcome measures. CHN said it performs third‑party quality control inspections after each job and collects customer surveys but did not provide a full survey summary during the hearing; CHN agreed to supply additional documentation when the committee requests it.
Next steps: With the amendment defeated, the committee approved the $900,000 per‑year authorization; staff and CHN were directed to provide additional evaluation metrics and to coordinate with 311 and the Department of Aging to improve outreach and referral pathways.
Quotes: "We take a whole‑house approach when we work with residents," a CHN representative said. "We have about 300 folks on the waiting list now," CHN added when describing current demand.
Ending: The legislation cleared the committee and will proceed per council procedure; members asked CHN and City staff to return with program evaluation metrics and with a plan for improved case referrals and customer satisfaction reporting.
