{"id":7596,"date":"2023-10-02T14:18:20","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T18:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/?p=7596"},"modified":"2023-10-02T14:24:09","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T18:24:09","slug":"transformative-water-affordability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/chang\/2023\/10\/02\/transformative-water-affordability\/","title":{"rendered":"Sen. Chang and Broad Coalition Introduce Transformative Water Affordability Package\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Statewide water affordability program, funding mechanism and shut-off protections are core elements of new legislation<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DETROIT, Mich. (October 2, 2023) \u2014 Today, Sen. <\/span>Stephanie Chang<\/span><\/b> (D-Detroit), Sen. <\/span>Rosemary Bayer<\/span><\/b> (D-West Bloomfield) and Rep. <\/span>Donavan McKinney<\/span><\/b> (D-Detroit) joined water providers and community leaders for a press conference to announce the introduction of a transformative legislative package to address water affordability in Michigan.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Despite being surrounded by over 20 percent of the world\u2019s fresh water, residential water rates have become unaffordable for too many Michigan families. Since 1980, average water costs, adjusted for inflation, have increased by 188 percent; families in urban areas and less densely populated communities have seen rates rise increase by up to 320 percent. According to Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) data, over 317,000 Michiganders were behind on their water bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the public health need in every corner of the state to have access to affordable water. While some local programs arose to help residents afford their water bills, the need for a statewide program in Michigan is glaring.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are the Great Lakes State, surrounded by fresh water, but many Michiganders do not have the same access to water due to their financial situation,\u201d said Sen. <\/span>Chang<\/span><\/b>. \u201cIt should not matter how much money you have\u00a0\u2014 every human being needs water to live. It has been a long journey working on the issue of water affordability since I took office in 2015. This term, I am proud that water providers, advocates and community partners from across the state have come together with shared goals of improving public health, providing more stability for our water systems and helping vulnerable Michigan families. Our water affordability legislation will help low-income Michiganders so that they pay no more than 3 percent of their household income on water and provide critical shut-off protections for those whose health conditions require access to water in the home.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To find a solution to the water affordability crisis, Sen. <\/span>Chang <\/span><\/b>convened a workgroup comprised of water providers, local government officials, clean water advocates, environmental groups, community action agencies, United Way organizations and staff from DHHS. This unprecedented effort to bring stakeholders together through a collaborative process, spanning 24 workgroup meetings, has resulted in a comprehensive set of effective, impactful solutions including a statewide affordability plan, funding mechanism, shutoff protections and tenant protections.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe People\u2019s Water Board Coalition overwhelmingly supports the monumental package of water affordability bills championed by Michigan State Senators Chang and Bayer,\u201d said <\/span>Sylvia Ordu\u00f1o<\/span><\/b>, People\u2019s Water Board Coalition. \u201cFor many years our grassroots groups have labored to bring visibility and advocacy to the need for statewide water affordability that protects households and community water systems. These bills offer new support and safeguards for vulnerable residents who experience water insecurity in all corners of the state. This package is a testament to the lengthy and successful multi-stakeholder engagement process convened by Sen. Chang, and we are appreciative of the strong community support it is receiving across the state.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis legislation, after seven months of statewide discussions led by Senator Chang, will bring an equitable and sustainable affordability program to Michigan,\u201d said <\/span>Jim Nash<\/span><\/b>, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner. \u201cIt protects ratepayers, keeps water affordable for those struggling to pay and helps our local communities operate their systems more efficiently and reliably.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The statewide water affordability bill package includes the following:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n