Title
Temporary Extension of WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program) Payment Assistance for Participants who have successfully completed two years of Program Participation
Body
Agenda of: December 12, 2018
Item No.: 2019-1052
Amount: Unknown
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: December 11, 2018
RE: Temporary Extension of WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program) Payment Assistance for Participants who have successfully completed two years of Program Participation
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Vice-Chairman Brian Baker, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA):
1. Authorizes a continuation of WRAP Payment Assistance, from the date of this resolution until April 1, 2019 and subject to available funding, for individuals who are enrolled and successfully participating in the payment assistance portion of the WRAP for a period of two years and would otherwise be ineligible to continue their participation in the program;
2. Authorizes a reinstatement and continuation of WRAP Payment Assistance, from the date of this resolution until April 1, 2019, with the consent of the participating municipality, and subject to available funding, for individuals who have successfully participated in the payment assistance portion of the WRAP for a period of two years and would otherwise be ineligible to continue their participation in the program; and
3. authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
The WRAP program was created as part of the stand-up of GLWA. 0.5% of GLWA’s revenue is dedicated to this program. The program offers many forms of assistance with bill payment, account arrearages, and/or in-home conservation for eligible individuals in GLWA communities. The program is administered by Wayne Metro. In October 2018, the Board made several suggestions for potential modifications to the participation eligibility standards for the program. A follow-up discussion with Wayne Metro regarding those suggestions will be conducted in January, 2019.
JUSTIFICATION
Currently, WRAP participants who receive bill payment assistance are only eligible to continue to receive that assistance for a period of two-years. This Motion makes an interim modification to allow current participants who are successfully participating but will be removed from the program at the expiration of their two years of bill payment assistance eligibility to continue to participate until April 1, 2019 if adequate funds are available. In addition, the Motion allows individuals who successfully participated in WRAP bill payment assistance but were removed from the program because their two-years of eligibility had expired to be reinstated for WRAP bill payment until April 1, 2019, if adequate funds are available and the member-partner community consents to the reinstatement.
The Motion is intended as a temporary measure until the Board completes its discussion of this issue and determines what, if any, modifications to the WRAP program should be made.
BUDGET IMPACT
Because this Motion is subject to available funds and funds for the WRAP have already been allocated in GLWA’s budget, it does not impact GLWA’s budget.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter is being presented directly to the Board.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.