AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Water says that it has expanded affordability initiatives to provide financial assistance to Austin renters without dedicated water meters and accounts.
Effective immediately, low-income and vulnerable Austinites living in apartments and other multi-family dwellings will see a new credit on their monthly utility bill, which is designed to offset a portion of the customers' monthly water and wastewater services.
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Eligible participants will automatically receive a maximum $200 a year credit, which will appear on monthly billing statements as the Austin Water Multi-Family CAP Program Discount, says the utility.
"The new Austin Water Multi-Family CAP program allows us to reach vulnerable customers who do not have a dedicated water meter, but nevertheless, pay for monthly water service," said financial manager Christina Romero. "This program offers a safety net to thousands of customers who have traditionally been ineligible for Austin Water financial assistance through the Customer Assistance Program (CAP)."
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Customers in the first phase of this program include those who:
- Reside in an apartment complex or other multifamily dwelling that receives services from Austin Water
- Receive financial assistance from Austin Energy with their electric utility bill through the CAP program
A second implementation phase will begin later this year to assist a small fraction of customers in outlying areas around Austin who receive water service from Austin Water, but are not Austin Energy customers, says the utility.
For more information and a complete list of the ways the City of Austin offers customers financial assistance, customers are encouraged to go online.