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The Sound of Ideas - 10-10-2023 - United Way of Greater Cleveland hosts conversation on social impact of utility debt
The Sound of Ideas
 
 
 
The number of people seeking financial help to pay their utility bills has risen in recent years, according to the Cleveland nonprofit, CHN Housing Partners. Those individuals may deal with side effects beyond financial debt, including the stress of immediate costs to long-term health implications.

On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll hear a panel discussion organized by the United Way of Greater Cleveland on how utility affordability affects residents in Greater Cleveland, and ways utility assistance programs can help.

The United Way of Greater Cleveland said United Way 211 will partner with CHN Housing Partners and Step Forward, beginning Nov. 1, to streamline the screening process and access to utility expense assistance programs for all residents of Cuyahoga County. The assistance programs include the Cuyahoga County Home Energy Assistance Program, the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, Winter Crisis Program, and Summer Crisis Program.

The conversation held last month was moderated by Ideastream Public Media's health reporter, Stephen Langel.

Guests:
-Stephen Langel, Health Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
-Jacklyn Chisholm, PhD, Step Forward
-Genevieve Birkby, University Hospitals Rainbow Connects
-Tonja Stewart Shaw, Ohio Consumers Council.
October 10, 2023