Low Income Advisory Committee: Conservation is for Everyone

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Would you be surprised to learn that 20% of the population of British Columbia and approximately 17% of BC Hydro's customers are low-income? For some, poverty is a function of circumstance, while for others it is a temporary phase in their lives. Most of us at one point or another struggle to make ends meet; whether as a student living on macaroni and cheese, a new immigrant getting started in a new country, a senior living on a fixed income, a single parent working part-time or one of the many who work in service industry jobs. Whatever the income level, our concerns are likely the same – a comfortable life, and a safe, healthy, happy family.

The Low Income Advisory Group (LIAG) is a working group of representatives from 13 social service agencies that provide services to B.C.'s most vulnerable low-income groups including; the working poor, refugees, new immigrants, seniors, the disabled and First Nations. This diverse group is focused on creating programs and partnerships that will help low-income households with their specific energy needs and conservation goals.

Members of the LIAG include representatives from the 411 Seniors Center, the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, the Council of Senior Citizens of BC, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Federal Indian & Northern Affairs, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Immigrant Services Society of BC, Ministry of Housing & Social Development, MOSAIC, Progressive Intercultural Community Services, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Tenants Resource & Advisory Centre, and The Salvation Army.

The Low Income Advisory Group understands that the energy burden on low-income households is often three to four times greater than the average, based on percentage of income. Because they live with little or no financial safety net, they are more vulnerable to the impacts of changes in the economy, and to service and rate changes. As BC Hydro introduces services and programs, the perspective of low-income households is vital to ensuring the barriers of access, mobility, culture and language are considered.

Members of the LIAG want the communities they represent to become empowered to manage their energy costs. They want to make sure low-income households are aware and take part in energy conservation activities, including access to programs, tools, and information. They also want to make sure the business and corporate sectors know about the challenges low-income people face and adopt socially responsible practices.

What LIAG participants had to say

"Traditional utility program delivery and marketing methods can prove ineffective to the groups we are trying to reach because of mobility issues, language barriers and limited access to program information, so we need to partner with people immersed in, and who have credibility in the community – the Low Income Advisory group help us understand and reach people that we haven't engaged with before."
Lesley MacDonald, Low Income Relationship Manager, BC Hydro

"We want to do more than save these customers money; we want to develop a conservation culture in which income isn't a barrier."
Margo Longland, Power Smart Program Manager for Low Income, BC Hydro

"The BC Hydro pilot has provided us with an opportunity to integrate a number of very relevant topics into our Money Skills Financial Literacy Program. Participants in the program respond with delight to the usefulness of the free Energy Savings Kit and the many ways they can save energy and therefore save money. The opportunity to discuss and clarify the Equal Payment Program (EPP) is of particular relevance as people on a low-income benefit greatly from the ability to spread the cost of hydro out over the year. Participants are encouraged to share their experience of how they use the EPP to better manage their money as an inspiration to others to consider this option for themselves. From the facilitator's perspective, the opportunity to speak about BC Hydro as a creditor provides an example that almost everyone can relate to in terms of the importance of staying in contact with creditors in times of financial stress and working out payment arrangements. No one wants their hydro shut off!"
Melanie Buffel, Facilitator, Money Skills Financial Literacy Program

"At the end of the day – it's the people that matter. We want to work with BC Hydro to develop programs that are relevant, practical and useful to the people that need them."
Alice Sundberg, Housing & Community Development Services

For more information, or to share your thoughts on this issue with the Low Income Advisory Group, contact Stakeholder Engagement.