NACWA staff joined the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) this week during their virtual 2021 Annual Meeting for a National Roundtable discussion: Post-Pandemic and the New Normal.

NEADA members will have a key role in distributing funds under the new federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) administered by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).  NACWA staff discussed clean water utilities’ interest in LIHWAP and the Association’s advocacy efforts on establishing low-income water assistance as a permanent, reliable program for customers in need.

NACWA has continued to engage with NEADA, which represents the state energy assistance offices, and other organizations as this historic first-time funding is rolled-out and we look to secure long-term federal funding and a successful program.

While progress under the LIHWAP program has been slow and disappointing for many utilities to date due to the extensive bureaucratic process to get funds released and flowing to utilities, NACWA is committed to working with HHS, NEADA and other stakeholders to improve the process moving froward.  NACWA will provide a further update on the LIHWAP program and implementation issues soon, including a water sector effort to develop recommendations for effective implementation of a permanent low-income water assistance program.     

Contact Kristina Surfus, NACWA Managing Director of Government Affairs, to discuss.