Utility disconnect affects 200 people in Janesville

Here's the news release from the Council Information Website http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/councilmailer/, where you will be able to find updates on this situation as it develops:

Utility Disconnect (from Jennifer Petruzzello, Neighborhood Services Director)

On Wednesday, City staff became aware that Alliant Energy sent disconnect notices to a landlord with 16 properties consisting of 55 rental units within the City of Janesville. He is receiving notices on a total of 21 properties and 98 units throughout Rock County. The disconnect notices will impact tenants who are current in their rent, and who have a valid lease requiring the landlord to pay utilities. Once service has been disconnected, the units will be uninhabitable and will need to be vacated. It is anticipated that 150-200 people would become homeless in the City of Janesville.

Members of the Homeless Intervention Task Force have met to discuss possible resolutions to this situation. The City of Janesville will be coordinating a temporary shelter, with the assistance of many agencies, including the Red Cross, ECHO, GIFTS, and Community Action. ECHO is also preparing to assist with temporary housing and the provision of food.

Four of the units are currently occupied by Section 8 Rental Assistance tenants. The landlord has been notified that he will have 14 days to resolve the issue with Alliant and have power restored. Tenants will not be allowed to stay in the unit during this time. ECHO has agreed to work with Section 8 tenants on temporary housing. If the power has not been restored, the City will void our agreement with the landlord, and assist the tenants in finding alternate housing.

City staff anticipates making contact with the tenants in all of these units beginning Monday. Staff will be providing a list of service agencies who will be able to provide assistance. The City has attempted to reach Alliant to request a delay in the disconnections, to allow tenants an opportunity to find alternative housing or for the landlord to make payment arrangements. The Public Service Commission has opened an investigation, and we are hopeful that the disconnection will be delayed

Additionally, per Jennifer Petruzzello, Janesville Director of Neighborhood Services:

"Residents will not need to move their belonging. Pets can stay in the units and tenants can come back to the units to care for pets."

And from Kelly Lee, Janesville Neighborhood Development Specialist:

"I have been in contact with the Director of the Public Service Commission (PSC). A list of addresses and the ownership information was forwarded to them in order to open an investigation.

In addition, I have been in contact with Mike Sheridan's office over the last several days. I just received a call from them to inform us that they have contacted the Governor to request that he make contact with the PSC to "put additional pressure" on them."