Eligible Detroit residents will be able to apply for water credits soon thanks to the $1.7 million reallocation of WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program) by The Great Lakes Water Authority(GLWA).

The funding will be available to the city of Detroit, as well as Flint, as a result of the cities’ return to GLWA.

It will immediately become available with the execution of an agreement that makes the city a contract customer with the firm, a requirement of the deal.

The lion’s share of the $1.7 million dollars will be directed to Detroit residents, who will be eligible to receive $1.6 million, as a result of the reallocation of 2016 bill assistance funds provided by GLWA’s three major county partners: Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Approximately $132,000 will be set aside to provide future assistance to eligible Flint households once Flint executes the proposed long-term contract with GLWA, according to company officials.

“The decision by the GLWA Board of Directors to reallocate uncommitted funding to Detroit and Flint reinforces the spirit of regional collaboration that was at the heart of the Authority’s formation,” said Sue F. McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of GLWA.

WRAP has successfully reduced Detroit low-income residents’ water account balances and decreased their bill to the average residential bill of close to $50 for a two-person household.” – Gary Brown, Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

WRAP, which is administered by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, provides qualifying customers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty threshold with help in paying current and past-due water bills.

Here’s how it works.

Eligible customers receive a $25 monthly credit toward current water bills with any arrears suspended for 12-24 months.

Customers who get back on track with past due bills get additional incentives. Those able to successfully make their monthly payments for six months, will receive an additional credit of up to $350 toward the arrearages.

Approximately 2,000 additional Detroit residential households can be enrolled in WRAP as a result

The combined program support will top $700 over a 12-month period, but residents have to meet requirements in order to gain the full benefits of the incentive.

Qualifying residents with water usage exceeding 120 percent of the average household water consumption in the city are also eligible for a free water conservation audit, and up to an additional $1,000 for minor household plumbing repairs based on audit results.

“We are committed to making sure every Detroit water customer has a path toward assistance,” said Gary Brown, director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. “The reallocated funding for Detroit allows us to continue this help by enrolling up to 2,000 more Detroit households who face financial difficulties in paying their water bill. This is in addition to the nearly 6,000 enrolled in WRAP now. A robust and comprehensive program with a 90 percent retention rate, WRAP has successfully reduced Detroit low-income residents’ water account balances and decreased their bill to the average residential bill of close to $50 for a two-person household.”

Since its inception in March 2016, 58 GLWA customer communities have opted-in to WRAP, which is a first of its kind program in Michigan and one of only a few sustainable assistance plans in the country. Initial WRAP funding for Fiscal Year 2016 was $4.5 million, which was expected to assist nearly 5,000 households in Southeast Michigan.

From March 2016 – April 2017, nearly $6 million has been dedicated to Detroit from the total WRAP allocation and from several other funding sources, bringing the total amount committed today to $7.3 million for assistance in Detroit. To date:

• Number of Detroit households enrolled in WRAP: 5,766;
• Number of Detroit households receiving minor home plumbing repairs: 558;
• Amount of funds used for minor home plumbing repairs at Detroit homes: $325,534.38.

Eligible residents may apply for WRAP by calling 313-386-9727, or learn more at waynemetro.org/wrap.

Lead photo by F11/Shutterstock, Inc.

  Detroit Water, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, Gary Brown, The Great Lakes Water Authority, Water Residential Assistance Program