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Community Action outlines water‑bill and plumbing assistance available to Kalamazoo households
Summary
Community Action of South Central Michigan described water‑bill assistance (capped at $3,000 per fiscal year with exceptions) and a plumbing program (cap $9,000) that have helped hundreds of households; staff reported 582 payments in Kalamazoo County totaling about $237,000 since Oct. 1, 2023.
Laura Jones, assistant director of emergency and supportive services for Community Action of South Central Michigan, told the Committee of the Whole on Dec. 1 that the agency operates two water affordability programs for residents who are connected to metered water or sewer accounts.
Jones said the water‑bill assistance program is generally capped at $3,000 per fiscal year but exceptions can be requested from the state bureau; the program is available to households that are past due, at risk of shutoff or have had service terminated. "Clients do not have to be in shut off status to come see us," she said, describing intake and documentation requirements including 30 days of household income and photo IDs or approved exceptions.
On the plumbing side, Jones described a program that addresses in‑home repairs to reduce recurring high bills — capped at $9,000 per household with exceptions available — and noted the program can serve renters if the landlord participates. "Those services are capped at $9,000. Cap exceptions are available and we have obtained those through the state," she said.
Jones provided program statistics: from Oct. 1, 2023, through the prior fiscal year end (9/30), Community Action made 1,421 payments across five counties; 582 of those payments were for Kalamazoo County and totaled about $237,000. For the plumbing assistance program (started 4/1/2024), the agency reported 306 enrollments across five counties, 66 currently enrolled households in Kalamazoo County and 25 completed projects with roughly $200,000 spent in Kalamazoo County so far.
Eligibility and access: Jones outlined income thresholds (households under 200% of federal poverty level or categorically eligible via TANF, SSI, SNAP, weatherization, etc.) and said clients can apply in person or virtually; staff can request exceptions for documentation barriers. She also said outreach is coordinated — the utility past‑due and shutoff notices reference help and the city posts information on its website.
Commissioners thanked Jones and asked about office locations and virtual options; Jones said Community Action maintains local offices and frequently offers virtual intake, walk‑in days and remote appointments. The presentation was given after the utilities briefing and commissioners said staff would continue coordinating affordability resources with any rate actions.
