• New WRAP Income Based Plan approach provides dynamic bill payment assistance based on ability to pay
• Program updates increase WRAP availability for more communities
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan comes on board to enroll Oakland County residents
DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has fully launched WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program) updates approved by the Board of Directors in 2022. At its core, WRAP provides payment assistance to eligible, low-income households through water and sewer bill credits for up to two years (or ongoing for households with senior citizens and persons with permanent disabilities), as well as bill arrearage assistance, and water conservation support, including minor plumbing repairs. GLWA’s Fiscal Year 2023 funding for WRAP is $4.16 million.
The first Board-approved improvement is the launch of the new WRAP Income Based Plan, which is one of the most impactful programs in the nation, offering bill credits based on household income and the amount of the household’s water and sewer bill. The goal is that after bill credits are applied, the amount the household is expected to pay toward their water and sewer bill is three percent of the household’s income. For example, a household that has an annual income of $10,000 and an average annual bill amount of $1,000, is now eligible for $700 annually in bill credits. Previously, the household would have received only $300 annually in bill credits.
The WRAP Income Based Plan is available to all eligible households who receive water and/or sewer service from GLWA via member partner communities. Eligible households can receive assistance paying down past due balances and receive bill payment assistance for up to two years. Eligible senior citizens and permanently disabled persons can obtain bill credit assistance without an expiration date. Participants may also receive conservation assistance and minor plumbing repairs. To participate in the WRAP Income Based Plan, an applicant must have a household gross income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty income threshold, be responsible for paying the bill, and live in the home they own or rent.
Upon enrollment, a WRAP Income Based Plan household will receive:
• Bill credits based on income and amount of bill;
• Past due bill or back payments assistance up to $1,200 in Year 1 and an additional $1,200 in Year 2;
• Conservation measures and education, as well as minor plumbing repairs up to $2,000.
The second improvement focuses on increasing availability and simplifying the program by enabling all eligible households in GLWA service area member partner communities to participate. This means that if a low-income household in a GLWA member partner community meets the eligibility requirements of WRAP, or is already enrolled in other qualifying assistance programs, that household can take advantage of the bill credits, arrearage assistance, conservation measures, and minor plumbing repairs offered through WRAP.
Finally, WRAP will now have an increased emphasis on case management with a shift toward direct client assistance. This will empower WRAP’s service delivery partners to work directly with a household to review their progress in making payments as a pathway to long-term household financial sustainability.
“These most recent improvements to WRAP are the result of extensive research and an in-depth dialogue with our member partner communities, and importantly, with experts in the human services organizations who are on the front-line of providing assistance,” said Nicolette N. Bateson, GLWA Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. “It is our goal to ensure that WRAP continues to evolve so that it can provide real assistance – both financial and in terms of creating a healthier home to those with the greatest need in the communities we serve. We are grateful for our Board of Directors’ support of these efforts to ensure that WRAP is designed to best serve those in need across southeast Michigan.”
GLWA has worked closely with service delivery partners Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency and the Macomb Community Action since the program’s inception in 2016. Beginning in 2023, GLWA is partnering with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to provide service directly to Oakland County residents.
“United Way is proud to be a part of this important effort to help reduce water utility costs for Oakland County residents. We have provided similar services for electric and gas consumers for over a decade. Adding WRAP to our portfolio of resources will help families address all of their utility assistance needs with just one phone call or application,” says Jeff Miles, Interim Vice President of Community Impact, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “We are also very excited about the water conservation component of the program. This helps residents understand and address issues in their homes to reduce water waste and make their bills more manageable through no-cost plumbing repairs.”
Below are the locations in the GLWA service area and delivery partners that will administer the program.
City of Flint
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
(810) 510-9727
www.waynemetro.org/wrap
Lapeer County
Macomb Community Action
(586) 469-6464
mca.macombgov.org/mca-wrap
Macomb County
Macomb Community Action
(586) 469-6464
mca.macombgov.org/mca-wrap
Monroe County
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
(313) 386-9727
www.waynemetro.org/wrap
Oakland County
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
(248) 983-5656
uwsem.smapply.org/prog/utilities
St. Clair County
Macomb Community Action
(586) 469-6464
mca.macombgov.org/mca-wrap
Washtenaw County
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
(313) 386-9727
www.waynemetro.org/wrap
Wayne County
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
(313) 386-9727
www.waynemetro.org/wrap
City of Detroit Lifeline Plan*
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
(313) 386-9727
www.waynemetro.org/dwsdlifeline
*It should be noted that residents within the city of Detroit are eligible for the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department’s Lifeline Plan, which is partially funded by WRAP and other resources.
The goal of WRAP is to set participants up for success, which includes helping to prevent the shut-off of services by utilizing proactive case management and collaboration with member partner communities. Since 2016, the program has been continuously reviewed and a broad range of adjustments have been made to ensure its adaptability and flexibility to address ways to make the program best meet the needs of member partner communities and their residents. The conservation measures offered through WRAP focus on creating a healthy home, in addition to reducing water usage.
“We are proud of WRAP’s success to date and are grateful for our partnership with Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, Macomb Community Action and United Way for Southeastern Michigan,” said Madison Merzlyakov, Affordability & Assistance Manager, GLWA. “We’re committed to expanding outreach and improving program design to make sure WRAP-eligible households can access every available dollar to ensure a sustainable future.”
Quote from our Service Delivery Partners:
Macomb Community Action
“The WRAP program has had a significant positive impact on residents within Macomb County and surrounding communities,” stated Julie Hintz, Program Manager, Macomb Community Action, Community Action Centers. “Macomb Community Action recognizes opportunities to address the root causes of water insecurity and promote solutions our residents deserve. WRAP allows us to work with qualified families, providing access to clean, affordable water – from paying off debt, to providing in-home assessments and recommendations for renters and homeowners to reduce consumption.”
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
“2023 WRAP is more robust and impactful than what we launched in 2016,” said Shama Mounzer, Executive Director at Wayne Metro Community Action Agency. “GLWA leadership is forward-thinking and deeply invested in program performance and continuous improvement. Together we have increased assistance available to each household and by layering multiple State and Federal funding sources, provided thousands of southeast Michigan residents in last year with water support. Wayne Metro remains committed to this strong partnership and ensuring clean, safe water remains affordable and accessible for all low-wage, low-income GLWA customers and their families.”
Learn more about WRAP at glwater.org/assistance.
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About the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA)
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is the provider-of-choice for drinking water services to nearly 40 percent, and efficient and effective wastewater services to nearly 30 percent, of Michigan’s population. With the Great Lakes as source water, GLWA is uniquely positioned to provide those it serves with water of unquestionable quality. GLWA also has the capacity to extend its services beyond its 88 member partner communities. As part of its commitment to water affordability, the Authority offers a Water Residential Assistance Program to assist low-income households in participating member communities throughout the system. GLWA’s board includes one representative each from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, two representatives from the city of Detroit, and one appointed by the Michigan governor to represent member partner communities outside of the tri-county area.