Category: Board of Public Utilities

BPU to meet Wednesday

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Items on the agenda for the regular meeting at 6 p.m. include a public comment time, general manager and staff reports, a KERA program update, utility assistance funding report, electric production quarterly report, economic development fund policy approval, miscellaneous comments and board comments.

According to a meeting notice, the meeting will be conducted through the telephone and internet.

To join the Zoom meeting, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84523139724.

Or the public may call toll-free to join the meeting, 1-888-475-4499.

The meeting ID is 845 2313 9724.

To view a board meeting information packet, visit https://www.bpu.com/Portals/0/pdf/board-information-packet-9-15-21.pdf.

For information about how to speak on a Zoom meeting, visit https://www.bpu.com/About/MediaNewsReleases/September15thBPUBoardMeetingNotice.aspx.

BPU now helping with KERA rental and utility application process

Rent, utility and internet-access assistance offered

The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program was launched on March 15. This state program is accepting applications to provide rent, utility, and internet-access assistance to households experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The KERA program application deadline is May 1, 2022.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities will help in the application process by verifying if the household qualifies for assistance, will review the requirements and documents needed for renters and landlords to apply and will track their application status after the application is submitted, a BPU spokesman stated.

Customers needing assistance in the application process may call a special dedicated line at 913-573-9123 or email at [email protected] and a BPU KERA advocate will assist them in this detailed application process.

The KERA assistance covers up to 12 months of rent and rental arrears (money past due), up to three months of prospective rent at a time, even if the household does not have rental arrears, and past due residential utility and home energy (electric, gas, water, sewer and trash services), and internet costs.

The KERA program is funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, which provided the state of Kansas nearly $200 million in rental assistance funding. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) serves as the administrator of the majority of these funds through the KERA program.

Those eligible to apply include tenants who rent their home, tenants whose 2020 household income did not exceed 80% of the area’s median income, households where at least one member is experiencing documented financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or at least one member of the household is uncertain of where they will stay or may become homeless without housing assistance.

To apply for the program, both the tenant and their landlord must apply online via a joint application process. The landlord completes online certification and the tenant submits the online application. The landlord and tenant are then notified when the application is processed. If approved, the landlord and or/service provider receive funds directly from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). The landlord and or/service provider than applies assistance to the tenant’s account.

To learn more about the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance Program, the qualification and application process, visit the KHRC website at https://kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance/ or call them at 785-217-2001.

The process after application for BPU customers: When a customer makes an application for these funds from the state of Kansas, the customer will receive a proof of prequalified application notice back from the state just identifying the application as submitted.

Applicants must notify BPU Customer Service as soon as they receive the email application notice from the state. BPU will allow the customer to receive service for 30 days or more without disconnection while it works with the state of Kansas to gain a better understanding of the KERA’s process and adjust accordingly.

If the customer’s prequalified application is rejected, the customer must also contact BPU and the utility will advise the customer on making application for other assistance they may qualify for. When BPU customers receive their application notice, they should not only call customer service at 913-573-9190 but also send their notice from the state to [email protected].

BPU customers are encouraged to stay current with their bills to avoid getting too far behind and if anyone has any BPU billing or customer service questions, they can call 913-573-9190 and a utility representative is available to assist, the BPU spokesman stated.

  • Information from BPU

BPU to start KERA assistance line

The Board of Public Utilities is planning a new program for a KERA application assistance service line.

BPU General Manager Bill Johnson said during the Wednesday night BPU meeting that the BPU would help customers with their applications for the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program, which provides utility funding for Kansas residents who are renters.

He said he was following up on recent board discussions where BPU members suggested more assistance for the program.

KERA is a state program that distributes federal funds that were intended to go toward rental and utility relief for those with hardships caused by COVID-19. At several previous BPU meetings, community activists said the application process was difficult, and some residents did not have access to technology required for it.

Patrice Townsend, director of utility services, will serve as administrator for this new program, Johnson said.

She previously worked with BPU customers on the smart energy program he said.

Johnson said the BPU’s program will set up a dedicated phone line and email address. Customers will have a way to call BPU if there is a need for assistance with the application, he said.

The BPU’s program will first determine if the person qualifies for the program, then assist with getting the application completed, and review a checklist to make sure all proper documentation is included.

There is also discussion that the Unified Government may assign a person to assist with the program, as well, Johnson said.

Some community organizations are KERA-funded partners, and Townsend will reach out to those agencies to coordinate, he said.

Johnson mentioned that the UG Commission recently allocated $1.8 million through American Rescue Plan Act federal funds to housing and utility assistance. The BPU is reaching out to them to ask how many dollars will be allocated to utility assistance programs, he said.

Johnson also said that Townsend and David Mehlhaff, BPU chief communications officer, are working on developing additional marketing messages for this promotion. They are working on new fliers, a news release, social media posts and information for the BPU website, he said. They are also looking for opportunities to speak to community groups about the program.

According to information presented by Johnetta Hinson, BPU executive director of customer service, there were four KERA applications from BPU customers approved in May, 75 in June and 182 in July. The BPU received over $1,400 in May, over $77,000 in June and over $105,000 in July from KERA.

BPU member Tom Groneman said the program will be a benefit for BPU customers. It’s a win-win situation for the utility and customers, he said. They need to look beyond the KERA program for utility assistance the UG is setting aside, coordinate with them and make sure people are being taken care of, he said.

Board member Rose Mulvany Henry said it will make a tremendous difference in the community.

Board member Ryan Eidson also thanked Townsend for stepping up and taking on the KERA project. The BPU needs to take advantage of the program if it can, he said. The BPU has been dealing with the KERA issues for about seven months, he said.

Board member Mary Gonzales offered to work as an advocate for the BPU to get funds coming into the UG.

At this time, the KERA program is for renters. Applications for the KERA program are online at https://kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance/.