Client: City of Sunrise
Project: Sunrise Cares Utility Relief Program
Date: 2020

City of Sunrise Case Studies:

Sunrise Cares Utility Relief Program

Overview:

In recognition of the economic impact that COVID-19 had on the community, the City of Sunrise Commission approved emergency utility relief efforts to be used for utility bill relief for Sunrise water and wastewater customers.

 

The Sunrise Cares Utility Relief Program (Program) was intended to help Sunrise water and wastewater utility customers in single-family homes (individual water meter per residential unit) who have been financially impacted as a result of COVID-19.  City staff launched an outreach campaign to include email blasts, social media posts, and a 6” x 9” postcard mailed to each eligible customer to ensure that utility customers are aware of the Program. Applications were reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available funds. The Sunrise Cares Utility Relief Program was limited to a one-time credit on the water and wastewater portion of the Sunrise utility bill in the amount of up-to $500.00 for eligible customers; however, if the customer only received water service from the City, they could only apply for a $250.00 credit towards the water portion of their bill. The Program allowed for a 30-day application window following the outreach campaign.

Approach:

Strategic Philanthropy, Inc. (SPI) was hired to create the program and assist with the day-to-day management of the overall project.  The approach included:

  • Assisting in creating/finalizing a strategic rollout of the COVID-19 Utility Relief Assistance This included providing recommendations on best practices for timeline and process and assisting with solidifying the criteria and guideline requirements
  • Assisting with the creation of an online application portal
  • Working with Client Marketing/Communication team to discuss key goals for external website
  • Managing overall budget
  • Organizing the residents’ applications and conducted due diligence on all documentation submitted
  • Coordinating report for Client team with applicant recommendations; Client would validate utility account / amount transfer
  • Communicating to applicants with acceptance / decline messages
  • Managing the administrative aspects of this project as it relates to achieving the stated outcomes
  • Managing the appeals process
  • Assisting Client with data points for public relations coverage on community efforts

Results:

  • A total of 1,588 submissions were received
  • Through the eligibility quiz created, a total 977 applications were qualified to be reviewed by a team of grant readers. Of those 977, 487 did not meet the specific criteria and 490 were ultimately approved through the application process.
  • A total of $317,836.36 was awarded in utility credits to the residents of Sunrise through both the application and appeal process; serving 642
    • This was broken out by:
      • Applications:
        • $241,836.36
        • 490
      • Appeals:
        • $76,000
        • 152

 

  • We used data to breakdown the following information on the type of applicant so we could target key groups in the future:
    • Property Type:
      • Apartment – 10 / 1%
      • Condominium – 12 / 1%
      • Mobile Home – 51 / 5%
      • Multi-Family home/Duplex – 8 / 1%
      • Single Family home – 714 / 73%
      • Townhouse – 181 / 19%

 

  • Marital Status:
    • Divorced – 102 / 10%
    • Married – 569 / 58%
    • Prefer Not to Answer – 40 / 4%
    • Single – 231 / 24%
    • Widowed – 34 / 3%

 

  • Age Breakdown:
    • 18-24 Years Old – 6 / 1%
    • 25-34 Years Old – 94 / 10%
    • 35-44 Years Old – 215 / 22%
    • 45-54 Years Old – 286 / 29%
    • 55-64 Years Old – 237 / 24%
    • 65-74 Years Old – 96 / 10%
    • 75 years or older – 25 / 3%
    • Prefer Not to Answer – 17 / 2%

 

  • Race:
    • African American/Black – 178 / 2%
    • American Indian or Alaskan Native – 3 / 3%
    • Asian – 66 / 8%
    • Multiracial – 33 / 4%
    • Other – 79 / 1%
    • Prefer Not to Answer – 103 / 6%
    • White – 514 / 7%

 

  • Ethnicity:
    • Hispanic or Latino 356 / 36%
    • Non-Hispanic 494 / 51%
    • Prefer Not to Answer 126 / 13%

 

  • Zip codes:
    • 33015 – 1 / 1%
    • 33133 – 1 / 1%
    • 33313 – 102 / 5%
    • 33314 – 2 / 2%
    • 33321 – 1 / 1%
    • 33322 – 120 / 3%
    • 33323 – 130 / 3%
    • 33324 – 49 / 0%
    • 33325 – 103 / 6%
    • 33326 – 106 / 9%
    • 33327 – 71 / 3%
    • 33328 – 36 / 7%
    • 33329 – 1 / 1%
    • 33330 – 10 / 0%
    • 33331 – 55 / 6%
    • 33332 – 17 / 7%
    • 33351 – 171 / 5%
  • Top 3 Zip Codes Served
    • 33351 – 17.5%
    • 33323 – 13.3%
    • 33322 – 12.3%

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