COVID-19

Dangerous choice: Swelter in quarantine or risk contagion

This article disscusses how cities may protect vulnerable residents from the risks of extreme heat during the COVID19 pandemic. Read more

Additional LIHEAP funding urged for struggling families as Senate considers more COVID-19 relief

Proponents are advocating for a new round of federal funding for LIHEAP on account of the economic downturn that the nation faces due to COVID-19. They state that around $4.3 billion of funding is needed to protect struggling consumers in the coming months when utility shut-off moratoria...Read more

Philadelphia Water Department 2021 Proposed Rate Increase

This artifact is a presentation created by the Philadelphia Water Department regarding their proposed rate increase. Without increased rates, according to PWD, they will have insufficient revenues to meet operating and legal requirements in FY2023. The Department withdrew a rate request in 2020...Read more

COVID-19 Blog - Urban Systems Lab

This document contains blurbs from each and every article created by the blog's authors. The Urban Systems Lab has worked constantly to highlight the intersections of social vulnerabilities with COVID-19. Each article discusses a different vulnerability as highlighted by the pandemic's continued...Read more

NEUAC LIHEAP and COVID19 Fact Sheet

This fact sheet was created by the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) and provides an overview of how LIHEAP funding/funding formulas, program flexibility, and eligibility has been adjusted for the COVID19 pandemic. This fact sheet was published on April 9th, 2020, and...Read more

March Staff Picks - Morgan Sarao

The artifacts that I chose throughout March discuss policy relating to crisis and crisis recovery on the federal level and in Philadelphia. The artifacts regarding federal policy were chosen after sifting through articles that resulted from google searches using the key words “LIHEAP” “...Read more

Utility Company Calling Script

Hi, my name is ________________. I’m a researcher with Drexel University in Philadelphia. I’m conducting a survey of utility company responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m calling to see if there is someone in your company that could answer a...Read more

Comcast commits $1B to low-income Internet Essentials program

Comcast has announced that it plans to commit $1 billion dollars to its low-income Internet-Essentials program. This plan will be spread across ten years and includes investments in community Wi-Fi centers, donating laptops and computers to low-income families, grants for nonprofits, and...Read more

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