KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo city commissioners plan to dip into their own initiatives fund to advertise their program to help low-income families pay their water bills.
A series of substantial rate increases created concern that some may not be able to afford the new rates, and so commissioners allocated funds to the Community Action Agency to assist low-income residents in danger of shutoffs due to nonpayment.
But they are finding it difficult to reach everyone who might be eligible.
The CAA’s Amber Leverette says they have tried to get the word out.
“Sponsored Facebook posts, doing the walk-ins, we focus a lot of walk-ins in the Kalamazoo area, and word of mouth has been fantastic.”
Commissioners are expected to vote to spend $49,000 to advertise the program on billboards, Metro Transit buses, the Kalamazoo Public Schools monthly newsletter and a mailer.
Information on the payment assistance plan is already included in every water bill.
Commissioners set aside about $100,000 every year for one-time projects like this. In the past, the funds have been used to help the victims of gun violence and other projects.
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