City Council

3. RESIDENTIAL LOW-INCOME WATER RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – F2M21-49,\nM2M23-135\nThe San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (SGVMWD) provides reliable\nsupplemental water for the communities of Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra\nMadre in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner. On May 24, 2021, the\nCity entered a grant agreement with SGVMWD to receive $200,000.00 for assistance with\ndelinquent water bills. In response, a Residential Utility Assistance Grant Program was\ndeveloped by the City on June 3, 2021. This program offered a one-time grant up to $500\nto pay delinquent water bills for residents with accounts 90 days or more past due. The\nprogram issued a total of $21,508.50 to residents for the payment of delinquent water bills,\nhowever, it closed on May 31, 2022. Staff is proposing guidelines for the administration of\na new ongoing Residential Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program to utilize the\nremaining SGVMWD funds. SGVMWD was notified of the City’s intent to establish this\nnew program. Under the new program, Alhambra residents will receive financial\nassistance in the amount of $25, which will be applied to the fixed portion of the bi-monthly\nwater bill. To qualify for the program, applicants must be a current account holder, have\na household gross annual income at or below 80% of the Los Angeles median income,\nand live at their primary residence in the City of Alhambra’s jurisdictional limits.\nRecommended Action: City Council approve a Residential Low-Income Water Rate\nAssistance Program to provide payment support to low-income residents from the\nAlhambra’s water system charges; and, direct staff to undertake the steps necessary to\nfinalize Council’s action. (M2M23-135)