Last night, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant and City Council Member Albert Vann hosted "Water Bill Help Night," at Boys and Girls High School. The goal was to address concerns residents had about being able to pay their water bills.
Close to 60 participants took turns speaking to representatives from DEP about their options, including various payment plans and a direct debit program that offers discounts for using automatic debit options
Concern has been high in recent years, surrounding water bill payments, following a New York City ruling that made it possible for a water lien place to be place against the property, if homeowners fell far enough behind on their water bills. This provision has created more worry for homeowners already struggling with their mortgage and in constant fear of foreclosure.
Vann, who has been a big supporter of outreach programs like last night said he is staunchly against the water bill lien.
"I think it's ridiculous," said Vann. "So part of my responsibility as a city council member is trying make sure that people who are low income, or just unable to pay their water bill, do not find themselves in a position where they could lose their house." He said that although he wasn't aware of any residents whose houses have been foreclosed, he noted that many were in the process of having it happen to them.
Other useful information provided at the help night was how to naviagate the Water Debt Assistance Program: Customers who meet the eligibility criteria can defer their unpaid water and sewer bill until the property is sold. Participants also learned about Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and how to read it, so customers could take action before a bill spirals out of control.
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"Having the event at Boys and Girls High School was important, because many people can't make it into Manhattan or other boroughs because of work or other complications," said Vann. "This is what we've always been about, to bring city hall to the community, so to speak."
To Vann, nights such as these are proof that if services are offered to people, they will take advantage of them. "People definitely come, and very often they get some solution or resolution. It's a very effective evening and a lot of people get on the road to working out whatever difficult situation they have."
