SoHo City Council Votes to Extend Residential Utility Relief Program Through 2027

SoHo City Council on July 7 approved an extension of the Residential Utility Relief Program, which freezes rate increases for electricity and water services for an additional 12 months beginning July 1, 2026. The vote passed 7-2 and applies to households with annual incomes below 80 percent of the area median, covering roughly 45,000 accounts according to the city's 2025-2026 budget document.

The extension comes as the council reviews its annual utility rate schedule amid ongoing adjustments to the municipal budget. City staff presented data showing that base rates for these services had been scheduled to rise by 4.8 percent on average in the new fiscal year before the council action.

Effects on Monthly Household Expenses

For residents enrolled in the program, the freeze keeps the typical combined electricity and water bill at approximately $142 per month based on average 2025 consumption figures released by the SoHo Public Works Department. This applies directly to payments due each billing cycle starting in August 2026.

Households outside the income threshold will still face the scheduled rate adjustment, which the legislation states will add an estimated $7 to the average monthly bill. The ordinance requires the city to notify all customers by mail before the August billing period begins.

Next Steps for Implementation

City staff will update enrollment forms and begin processing renewal applications for current participants starting July 15. The program is funded through an existing allocation of $2.3 million in the utility enterprise fund, as listed in the adopted budget.

The council directed the Department of Finance to submit a status report on participation numbers and total expenditures by December 2026. Any future changes to the program would require a separate vote.