THAW Water Assistance Funds Dried Up

A fund to help Detroiters pay delinquent water bills has dried up.

Officials say a fund that helped over 2000 Detroit residents pay their water bills is out of money. The Heat and Warmth Fund’s water assistance program started in June to help Detroit residents break even on their water bill but has completely exhausted its funding.

Vice President of Operations Matt Phillips says the water assistance program runs solely on donations.

“Currently, we are looking for funders and supporters that will come to THAW and help us on increasing our funding sources in order to help out the needs of the residents of the state of Michigan,” Phillips says. 

The program started with a one million dollar donation from Miller Buckfire and Company. Phillips says the need for assistance was so overwhelming, the organization spent a million dollars within six weeks. 

Author

  • Bre'Anna Tinsley
    Bre'Anna Tinsley is a reporter for Detroit Public Radio, 101.9 WDET. She covers city government and housing, as well as co-hosting the "Detroit Evening Report" podcast.