Local corporations donate $200K to the Detroit Water Fund to help those in need

• Eligible Low-income Detroiters may receive 25% toward paying their water bills
• Customers can receive assistance at Cobo Water Fair on August 23rd
• Residential Shut Off moratorium ends August 25th

DETROIT, MI - Three major donors have stepped forward to contribute a total $200,000 to the Detroit Water Fund, Mayor Mike Duggan’s response to helping low-income Detroiters with their water bill. Representatives of United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM), the Ford Motor Company Fund and the General Motors Foundation announced their donations today at a press conference at the United Way’s 211 call center.

The donations are the first major contributions to the Detroit Water Fund since it was established two weeks ago as part of Mayor Duggan’s 10-point plan to assist Detroit residents in getting current on their water bill before the residential shut off moratorium expires on August 25th.

“These three organizations have stepped up in a significant way to help assist Detroiters who are truly in need of help paying their water bills before the residential shut off moratorium ends on August 25th,” said Detroit Mayor Michael E. Duggan. “They have let Detroiters know they are not alone and their generous donations will be able to immediately begin assisting residents.”

United Way is donating $100,000, while the Ford Motor Company Fund and the General Motors Foundation are each contributing $50,000. Mayor Duggan said he also expects other major contributors to announce additional donations in the coming days.

“United Way for Southeastern Michigan strongly urges individuals and corporations to join us in making substantial contributions to the Detroit Water Fund,” said UWSEM President & CEO Michael J. Brennan. “This money will be used to help our friends and neighbors who are truly in need to get critical water access issues behind them.”

How the Detroit Water Fund works
Starting August 11th Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Customer Care Centers began processing applications for the Detroit Water Fund. By paying down only 10 percent of their past-due balance, eligible city residents will receive up to 25 percent assistance with their bill from the new Detroit Water Fund. DWSD has partnered with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, which will prequalify residents.

To be eligible for Detroit Water Fund assistance, customers must be Detroit residents who:

• Have an outstanding balance between $300 and $1000
• Maintain Average Water Usage for their household size
• Are either enrolled in DTE’s Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP)
• Have income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level (for example, a family of 4 must have an annual income below $35,775).

This funding is available on a first-come first-served basis and is subject to availability.

“We have been working with our partners on an ongoing basis as the city works through its challenges, and are committed to the citizens of Detroit to make sure they have a plan to address their water needs,” said Jim Vella, President, Ford Motor Company Fund. “We’re glad to provide this support and will continue to work with Mayor Duggan and the United Way to solve this critical issue.”

John K. Blanchard, Director, Local Government Relations, General Motors Company, said, “The GM Foundation is dedicated to helping our fellow neighbors. As long-time supporters of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, this grant is another example of our partnership and shared commitment to strengthen communities. We applaud Mayor Duggan and United Way for establishing this worthwhile endeavor to provide a much needed resource for Detroit residents.”

10/30/50 Plan
Mayor Duggan’s plan also included a new payment option called the 10/30/50 Plan. Customers must first enroll in this plan in order to be eligible to receive assistance from the Detroit Water Fund. The 10/30/50 Plan gives residents 24 months to pay off their delinquent amount once they put down an initial 10 percent of their balance. If they miss a payment, the customer must first pay 30 percent to renter the program and 50 percent if they miss a second payment.

Moratorium ends August 25th
Mayor Duggan reminded customers that the residential water shut off moratorium ends on August 25th. After that date, shut offs will resume, he said. However, DWSD has committed to increasing its communication to customers scheduled for shut off to give them sufficient time to get into a payment plan.

Beginning today, DWSD workers will begin hanging “door hanger” notices on the home of each location schedule for shut off after the moratorium ends. The DWSD teams will move throughout the city area-by-area posting the notices at least seven days ahead of shut off crews. The door hanger is in addition more descriptive notices that also are being mailed to customers to notify them of their shut off status.

“The goal at DWSD is to help Detroiters get to current status or to allow them opportunities to get on a payment agreement plan,” said DWSD Director Sue McCormick. “The contributions of United Way, GM Foundation and Ford Motor Company Fund will really help us provide that extra layer of assistance to our customers that are in need. DWSD is thankful to GM, Ford and United Way.”

Since DWSD began shutting off service in March, nearly $3.1 million in past due amounts have been collected, approximately $506,000 of that since the moratorium was put into effect nearly a month ago. Also during the moratorium, more than 7,400 residents have enrolled in payment plans through DWSD’s three Customer Care Centers and Call Center. Currently, there are approximately 24,400 residents on payment plan agreements, up from 17,000 in July.

Cobo Water Fair to be held August 23rd
Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones also created the Cobo Water Fair, which will be held from 9 AM until 5 PM on Saturday, August 23 to culminate the water shut off moratorium and also provide Detroiters with a one-stop shop to pay their water bills and also gather information about maintaining water bills and water conservation. Free parking is available in the Ford Underground and Millennium parking garages.

“I appreciate the Mayor extending the moratorium to give residents more time to receive the assistance they need to pay their water bills,” said Jones. “The new payment plan and these generous donations to the Detroit Water Fund by United Way, Ford Motor Company Fund and GM Foundation will help those who are most in need. I encourage everyone who still needs guidance or assistance to come out to the Cobo Water Fair on August 23rd.”