Posted on 05/29/2024
The City Council approved a resolution to support S. 3830 (Padilla), the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act, which aims to reinstate a national water assistance program for low-income households.
According to CalEnviroScreen, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) serves a disproportionately high number of disadvantaged residents, with over 2.1 million people affected by a combination of economic, health, and environmental burdens. Access to clean drinking water is crucial for their health and well-being, yet many families struggle to pay their current or overdue water bills.
Since the initiation of LIHWAP, the program has provided assistance to over 4,600 customers, allocating more than $6 million in funds to LADWP. This translates to an average of approximately $1,300 per household.