Flint, Michigan – Flint renters with unpaid water and sewer bills now have a lifeline to help with their financial load. Under a new program run by Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s office, qualified tenants may get up to $500 in assistance to help lower or clear outstanding balances on their water and sewer bills. Mayor Neeley expressed hope for this program, which was meant to meet Flint’s renting population’s needs—a demographic sometimes disregarded in efforts at utility aid.
For many Flint residents, staying on top of water bills has been an ongoing struggle.
“I understand that water payments can be a burden for many residents,” said Mayor Neeley. “My administration and I are continuously working to find ways to help ease that burden. This new program will provide renters with some relief, and I urge them to take advantage of this opportunity.”
There are very simple eligibility requirements for this help. Renters with an annual income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level qualify to apply. Once accepted, qualified individuals can get up to $500 to cover past due water and sewer bills – a major relief for many who might otherwise struggle to catch up on these payments.
Those who want to apply should move quickly since money is limited and expected to go away quickly. Applications are taken personally at specified sites throughout the week; city personnel is on hand to help with inquiries and eligibility verification. The application schedule includes times at both Flint City Hall and the Flint Service Center, with morning hours on Mondays and Wednesdays and afternoon hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Candidates must bring specific documentation proving their eligibility. The list includes a valid state ID for every adult household member, social security numbers for every household member, evidence of household income for the past 30 days, and the most current income tax file spanning 2018 to 2023. If applicants get benefits from the Department of Health and Human Services, they also must include a copy of their past-due water bill, which should be in the tenant’s name, and a current DHHS Benefit Summary or Notice of Case Action.
Given the economic difficulties many still experience, this project fits perfectly Flint’s continuous attempts to help citizens’ financial security. Especially for basic requirements like water access, Mayor Neeley has underlined his dedication to provide tools and assistance programs that reduce the financial burden of Flint’s residents.
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The aid program also emphasizes Flint’s commitment to an inclusive strategy that targets renters, a population sometimes without access to the same degree of utility help as homeowners. The city wants to close this disparity so that every resident may afford water more easily.
Those Flint citizens who fit the requirements and want to apply for the program can attend the Water Customer Service Center at the designated times, ready with the necessary paperwork. For those with additional questions, the Water Customer Service Center can be reached at 810-766-7015 to provide further guidance.
Mayor Neeley and the Flint City Council want to provide tenants who might be struggling with overdue payments genuine support with this program, therefore strengthening the city’s dedication to a community where everyone has access to fundamental utilities free from financial burden.