City dedicates $200K to help pay water bills
Will come from federal coronavirus funds; applications are due no later than Dec. 15
Annapolis is dedicating $200,000 of its federal coronavirus aid to help city homeowners struggling to pay their water bills during the pandemic as the city prepares to resume water shutoffs and charging late fees in January.
Mayor Gavin Buckley announced Monday the city is partnering with Blessed in Tech Ministries, a local nonprofit, to administer the Water Bill Relief Program to help homeowners who can’t pay their water bills because of the pandemic. The city is using a portion of the CARES Act funding received from the federal government to fund the program.
“We have worked closely with the county to make sure our community assistance through CARES is not duplicated,” Buckley said. “City residents were not eligible for county help on their water utility bill. Water is one of the crucial elements in fighting the virus. We urge all city residents to reach out to the city if they have fallen behind, andwe will work out a plan.”
To qualify, applicants must currently live in the home and own the property listed on the water bill. Eligible homeowners must
“We’re going to do the best that we can to get as many people’s bills paid as much as we can.” — DeloresM. Bullock, vice president and executive director of Blessed in Tech Ministries
have a household income at or below120% of the median household income, and their income must be affected by the pandemic. Secondary, vacation and rental homes are not eligible for the program. Applications are due no later than Dec. 15. About 30 people have already applied for the program, said Delores M. Bullock, vice president and executive director of Blessed in Tech Ministries.
During the pandemic, Bullock and her husband Willie T. Bullock, the founder and CEO, have provided other community services like a mobile food pantry and grocery shopping and bill assistance for the elderly.
“With the water bill relief fund, we’re going to be able to help so many more now,” Bullock said. “We’re going to do the best thatwe can toget asmany people’s bills paid as much aswe can.”
Other partners in the program include St. Vincent de Paul Society, Light House Shelter, Salvation Army and Community Action Agency, she said.
An executive order issued by Gov. Larry Hogan suspended utility shut-offs as the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state. The order prohibited utility providers from shutting off or penalizing customers for past due balances.
The city’s Finance Office is mailing letters to homeowners informing them the city will resume charging late fees and sending water shutoff notices starting Jan. 1. The letter notes homeowners can pay some or all of their balance by mail, online or by contacting Finance Office before Jan. 1 to enter into a payment plan for the remaining balance. It also includes details about the Water Bill Relief Program.
Once homeowners have entered into a payment plan, the city will no longer charge late fees on the balance unless payments are not made on time. And all past due balances must be paid by June 1, 2021, according to the letter.
Renters who can’t pay their water bills should seek assistance from the Eviction Prevention Program administered through Arundel Community Development Services.
Those interested in applying for the Water Bill Relief Program can contact Blessed in Tech Ministries at 410-384-8200 or water@blessedintechministries.org. Additional instructions can be found on the city’s website: www.annapolis.gov.