Department of Commerce grant provides relief funding

Northshore Utility District (NUD) applied for and received a grant from the Department of Commerce that made it possible to assist 608 NUD customers financially impacted by the pandemic. When the pandemic-related moratorium on water shutoffs was lifted in October 2021, NUD customers owed over $1.6 million in overdue payments. By offering payment plans, through partnerships with neighboring agencies and charitable organizations, and with the help of federal funding, NUD has been able to reduce the total owed by over 80 percent.

“The pandemic has been devastating in many ways, and for some of our customers, they had to make the difficult decision to pay their utility bills or purchase groceries,” said Acting General Manager Amanda Campbell.  “NUD staff worked numerous hours trying to connect customers with resources to resolve this ongoing challenge and the Department of Commerce grant was another avenue of providing support to those in need.”

In August of 2022, the Department of Commerce received grant funding from the Federal Government for water and sewer districts to assist eligible residential customers who were financially impacted by the pandemic. The funding was made available in mid-November, with a requirement of disbursing funds by December 31, 2022.

Northshore Utility District (NUD) applied promptly for grant funds and received an allocation of $258,914.57. The grant required NUD to establish criteria to prioritize distribution of funds to residential customers behind on payments between March 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021, and who also met additional grant eligibility requirements. NUD distributed $234,914.51 to 608 eligible customers, ranging from payments of $1.51 to $13,117.02. Letters to customers documenting their funding amounts were sent mid-January 2023.

To learn more about current assistance programs for NUD customers, visit www.nud.net/customers/assistance-programs.  For questions, please call (425) 398-4400.

 

Media Contact:

Amanda Campbell, Acting General Manager
Northshore Utility District
(425) 521-3728