Post by Logan on Jul 5, 2016 5:47:39 GMT -6
Kinks slow Detroit area water bill aid effort
Detroit — Confusion, forgetfulness and financial strain have limited a new regional assistance program in helping out low-income water customers with their bills.
While the Water Residential Assistance Program, or WRAP, has signed up about 1,270 Metro Detroit households since it launched in March, there’s a backlog of 2,500 to 3,000 customers waiting to enroll.
And dozens of those in the program already have failed to make their required payments.
Detroiters represent about 90 percent of customers enrolled in the regional program, which is being administered by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency in Detroit in conjunction with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD).
“A lot of them are having issues with just understanding the process,” said Gary Brown, DWSD’s director. “It’s new for customers, it’s new for staff and we’re working out the kinks.”
Read more: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2016/07/05/water-customers-detroit/86689664/
Detroit — Confusion, forgetfulness and financial strain have limited a new regional assistance program in helping out low-income water customers with their bills.
While the Water Residential Assistance Program, or WRAP, has signed up about 1,270 Metro Detroit households since it launched in March, there’s a backlog of 2,500 to 3,000 customers waiting to enroll.
And dozens of those in the program already have failed to make their required payments.
Detroiters represent about 90 percent of customers enrolled in the regional program, which is being administered by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency in Detroit in conjunction with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD).
“A lot of them are having issues with just understanding the process,” said Gary Brown, DWSD’s director. “It’s new for customers, it’s new for staff and we’re working out the kinks.”
Read more: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2016/07/05/water-customers-detroit/86689664/