The cities of Demorest and Cornelia have both joined Georgia’s Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, which would expand the availability of water access to families who are unable to afford their bills.
“I think it’s an excellent idea; the City of Demorest has always taken great efforts to make sure that we accommodated anyone who is having financial troubles and being able to pay for their water,” Demorest Mayor Rick Austin said at their work session discussion of the program. “I’m not aware of anyone who has called city office and said ‘I can’t make my monthly [water] payment this month,’ that we’ve turned off.”
Both the City of Demorest and City of Cornelia unanimously voted to join the program this month, following suit after Clarkesville joined the program in October.
The program was created by the Department of Health and Human Service and Administration for Children and Families and sponsored through the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan.
The funding gives states the ability to implement this assistance program within their municipalities, should they opt-in. The cities will receive water payments for utility customers from the state, and the money will go into an account in the customer’s name.
Those interested in becoming part of this program should go through the application process with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services and Ninth District Opportunity Services. The form for requesting utility assistance, as well as all other services, is located here.
This article has been updated.
