With the Mayoral primary fast-approaching on May 4, check out upcoming candidate forums.  The Pandemic has caused many people to fall behind on their housing & utility bills. Do you have a story about unaffordable housing or high gas and electric bills that you would be willing to share? 

Here are the top 3 actions you can take this week:

1. 1. There are two upcoming Mayoral Candidate Forums in advance of the primary vote May 4.
      
      This Wednesday, March 31, from 6:30-8:30 PM, the Woman's City Club, the League of Women Voters and several other local organizations are hosting the Cincinnati Mayoral Forum. The Zoom registration for the event is full, but you can still watch via Facebook Live at the time of the event. See the event page here for details and the FB Live.
      
      Thursday, April 8, from 7:00-8:30 PM Bold New Democracy, the Cincinnati Indivisible Rapid Response Team and several other groups are hosting Shaping Cincinnati's future ~ viewpoints of candidates for Mayor ~ RSVP for this virtual event here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.
      
      
   2. CUFA is gathering stories about financial hardships during the pandemic. Have you been struggling to keep up with utilities or rent? Has it been difficult to apply for assistance? Did assistance come in time to stave off shutoffs or eviction? We are gathering testimonials to share publicly and with elected officials like Gov. DeWine - who could be stopping the utility shutoffs and evictions while people find assistance and get caught up. Reply to this email if you are willing to share your story or give us a call at (513) 853-3947. (See more below about assistance programs if you are still in need.)
      
      
   3. Have you had a Sewer Backup? Did you get the help you needed to recover? Under our sewer Consent Decree, the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is required to help victims of sewer backups that are the result of a lack of capacity in the sewers. Save the date (Thursday, May 6 from 6:30-8PM) for this virtual meeting to learn more about what MSD is required to do and how to get help through the program. CUFA's Sewer Justice Team will host the Legal Aid Ombudsman for the Sewer Backup Response (SBU) 101. Come with your stories and questions and let's work together to improve the program! RSVP here for the May 6 SBU 101.

What's Happening This Week

Watch the CUFA Town Hall: Navigating Housing & Utility Assistance

Are you or someone you know having trouble navigating assistance programs? On Thursday, March 4, Communities United For Action hosted speakers from local utilities and agencies to talk about available assistance programs and how to apply. Watch it here and get the links and contact information shared about local programs here. Note: The Greater Cincinnati Water Works Forgiveness Program applications are due this Wednesday, March 31!

Today, all Ohioans age 16 and up are eligible for the COVID vaccine

Register with Hamilton County Public Health for availability through the Health Dept. or check the map for other Hamilton County providers here.

Use Ohio's Get the Shot website here to find open appointments with local providers.

Other Important Information

CUFA has postcards (pictured below) you can give or mail to family and friends asking them to join CUFA. Sign up here to get some postcards!

Join CUFA on social media: 

Like us on Facebook and invite friends to like our page.

Follow us on Twitter.

Be sure to join our Facebook group.