Narrative-first, evidence-driven

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Purpose: reduce the monthly squeeze by lowering energy bills and preventing crisis shutoffs.

The mechanism (plain language)

High bills hit families every month. Poor insulation and old systems make it worse. Shutoffs create cascading harm: health, housing stability, job stability.

What good looks like

• more weatherization throughput
• clear, simple access to help
• fewer shutoffs
• transparent metrics by neighborhood (without stigma)

Quick wins (pick 1–3)

Weatherization throughput

1. Increase weatherization completions (capacity + contractors) with monthly reporting.
2. Simplify intake (one form, one coordinator) and reduce paperwork loops.
3. Target the worst building stock first (highest bill burden).
4. Bundle upgrades (air sealing + insulation + basic HVAC fixes).

Shutoff prevention

5. Shutoff moratorium triggers during extreme weather, with clear rules.
6. Payment plan standardization (predictable, humane).
7. Proactive outreach before shutoff (text/mail) with simple steps.

Transparency + accountability

8. Publish shutoff rates and arrears (aggregated) monthly.
9. Publish program wait times (intake → audit → completion).
10. Measure bill impact after upgrades (before/after, averaged).

Scoreboard metrics (choose 3–5)

• Weatherization completions per month
• Program wait times (days)
• Shutoff rate (monthly/seasonal)
• Arrears totals (trend)
• Average bill reduction after upgrade (sampled)
• Customer satisfaction (simple survey)

Common failure modes

• Low throughput because intake is too complex.
• Contractor bottlenecks ignored.
• Programs exist but no one can navigate them.
• Data exists but is not published in plain language.

Bridge language

• “Lower bills is dignity. It’s also stability.”
• “This is a throughput problem: forms, staff, contractors.”
• “Let’s measure completions and wait times like we mean it.”
• “Preventing shutoffs prevents bigger costs later.”

One Ask examples

• “Publish monthly weatherization throughput and cut average wait time by 30% within 6 months.”
• “Standardize payment plans and publish shutoff rates monthly (aggregated).”
• “Create a one-stop intake coordinator and track time-to-completion end to end.”

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