Community Local News

Flint residents now have access to an income-based water assistance plan!

Written by Tanya Terry

The Great Lakes Water Authority Board of Directors was recently able to approve a transfer of more than $1.5 million in additional funding for Flint residents through its Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP). WRAP is a two-year water assistance and conservation program that provides assistance to eligible, low-income households.

This reallocation was possible due to funds that were uncommitted or unspent since 2016 in the counties of Wayne, Washtenaw, Monroe, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. Periodically, the GLWA Board of Directors considers the reallocation of uncommitted or unspent WRAP funds.

“We know that there is a need for WRAP in the city of Flint, and we’re really excited that these funds will be able to go to those in need in Flint, alongside the program improvements that GLWA’s Board of Directors also recently approved,” said Madison Merzlykov, Great Lakes Water Authority affordability and assistance manager.

The WRAP program provides bill credit assistance, arrearage assistance or past-due balance assistance, as well as water conservation measures and minor plumbing repairs.

The amount for bill credits is based on the household’s income and the amount of the annual water and sewer bill. Households may receive from $25 to $100 per month in bill credit assistance.

Eligible households that have past due balances are eligible up to $1,200 in the first year of the program and an additional up to $1,200 the second year of the program.

In addition, households can receive a home water audit. For it, representatives from Wayne Metro walk through homes, give information on water usage and look for circumstances that may be contributing to high water usage (such as leaky toilets).

Any household enrolled in WRAP with a senior citizen or a person with permanent disabilities is eligible to receive bill credit assistance beyond two years.

Through partnering with Metropolitan Community Action Agency, residents can be connected to help for services outside of water or sewer bill assistance.

The WRAP program is funded by GLWA-funded revenue. It’s administered or implemented by service delivery partners, such as Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, which services Flint.

Capacity of the program is based available funding. In the current program year, $24,818 was allocated to the City of Flint in WRAP funds. The additional allocation of $1.5 million will now allow for more Flint residents to take advantage of the program.

Flint residents can enroll in WRAP online at www.WayneMetro.org/WRAP, by phone at 810-510-9727, or at the Flint City Hall Customer Service office.  Wayne Metro commits to reviewing and processing applications within seven to 10 business days.

WRAP representatives are normally onsite at Flint City Hall from 9 a.m. -3:30 p.m. to help residents apply for the program.  Due to the holiday, after representatives being there Wednesday, Dec. 28, they will not return and resume the service until Jan. 4.

 

 

 

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