201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #1101
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5173
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: APRIL 12, 2022
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM DIRECT PAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH HORNE
LLP ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND
DEVELOPMENT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 15
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Approve the Direct Payment Agreement (Agreement), which is in substantially final form, the final form of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof between HORNE LLP (HORNE) and the City of Anaheim (City) to receive federally-funded Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) grant funds to be applied to the accounts of eligible City water and wastewater customers for a term through October 31, 2023; and
2. Authorize the Public Utilities General Manager, or designee, on behalf of the City, to execute the Agreement and any related documents, and take any and all actions necessary, required, or advisable to implement the Agreement, including delegations to a Project Coordinator to administer the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Utilities Board recommended that the City Council approve these actions at its meeting on March 23, 2022.
Since 2003, Anaheim Public Utilities Department (APU) has assisted eligible qualified customers through crediting of customer accounts with reimbursement from federal grant funds administered through the State of California, Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) on their electric bills. In 2020, the federal government established a similar program for water and wastewater bills, referred to as the Low- Income Household Water Assistance Program or LIHWAP. The proposed Agreement establishes the terms and conditions that enable APU to directly apply LIHWAP grant funds as direct credits to qualifying customers who have difficulty paying their water and wastewater bills.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Direct Payment Agreement with HORNE LLP Acting on Behalf of the State of California Department of Community Services and Development April 12, 2022
Residential households are limited to a one-time credit (up to $2,000) following a review of their eligibility by CSD who has authorized their contractor, HORNE, to disperse LIHWAP grant funding. Eligibility is subject to participation in other income-qualified assistance programs or verification of income, which is currently at approximately $59,000 annually for a family of four (based on 60% of the State Median Income).
CSD anticipates beginning to accept LIHWAP applications from eligible households by June 2022 and will operate through August 31, 2023. Future extensions of LIHWAP will be subject to available funding. APU will conduct outreach through social media, website, bill inserts, and notifications to customers about available assistance programs, including LIHWAP. As Anaheim residents continue to work through the economic effects of COVID-19, LIHWAP offers another tool that APU staff can offer to help income-qualified customers.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Availability of LIHWAP grant funding is subject to federal allocations and APU does not incur any additional expenses associated with the Agreement.
Respectfully submitted, Concurred by,
Dukku Lee Rudy Emami
Public Utilities General Manager Director of Public Works Attachment:
1. Direct Payment Agreement