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Market Analysis and Baseline Studies

Low Income

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New Jersey LIWAP and NJ Comfort Partners Comparison of Programs and Evaluation Findings  

Description:

This report provides a detailed comparison of the Department of Community Affairs’ Low-income Weatherization Assistance Program and the Comfort Partners low-income program managed by the utilities. The analysis discusses the rationale for each program’s design to help assess which model might be most appropriate for a ratepayer funded low-income usage reduction program.

Objectives:

  1. To provide a detailed comparison of the two programs.
  2. To identify where the programs are similar and where they are different.
  3. To identify potential efficiency gains.



Major Findings :

The comparisons in this document showed that these programs have different histories and different goals, but provide similar services to low-income households in New Jersey. While the differences between the programs would make it challenging to have total program alignment in one integrated approach, there are many benefits to be gained from some level of coordination between the two. These benefits include:

  1. Identification of households in need. The two programs have different outreach and enrollment methods. Together, the two methods may allow a greater percentage of low-income households with energy needs to be reached.
  2. Targeting available program resources to specific needs of the household. The two programs concentrate on different types of services. Together, they should be able to better meet the diverse needs of low-income households.
  3. Leveraging of resources from other types of programs (housing/income/utility). By working together, there may be opportunities to leverage resources from additional programs.
  4. Potential efficiency gains. Reducing the number of contacts and visits to the home while providing coordinating services can reduce the fixed costs of providing services.

However, there are also potential challenges to coordination of the programs. Some of the possible barriers include:

  • Program goals. As noted above, the two programs have a different set of goals that overlap in a number of ways. These differences may interfere with coordination of the programs at various levels.
  • Program financial models. The programs have different means of paying for services delivered. This may create barriers for service delivery providers or funders of the programs.
  • Program service delivery models. Different service delivery models are used. Previous experience has shown that it is difficult to have technicians change their procedures, or use two different sets of procedures for service delivery.

Prepared for:
NJBPU / CEEEP		   Prepared By:
Apprise		   Date:
June 2004
 
  
NJ Statewide
Market (2.5MB)