For Immediate Release: October 6, 2023

Today, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), introduced the Water Access Act, to provide $500 million in additional funding for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that expired on September 30.

In response, Yasmin Zaerpoor, Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience with PolicyLink, released the following statement on behalf of the national Water Equity & Climate Resilience Caucus:

“Water is a human right and every family deserves to have access to safe water that they can afford. Yet, the cost of water is rising across the country faster than inflation and other household utilities, leaving low-income households to choose between paying their water bills, buying food, or keeping the lights on.

“We can solve this problem. Federal programs already exist to help low-income households pay energy and phone bills when they’re struggling, but funding for the temporary Low Income Household Water Assistance Program will expire in just days if Congress doesn’t act now.

“Thank you Representatives Dingell, Tlaib, and Blunt Rochester for your leadership by introducing the Water Access Act to keep families who need bill assistance connected to water. We must pass this additional funding for LIHWAP while working to create a permanent, national program so no family has to struggle to afford water.”

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About the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus
The Water Equity and Climate Resilience (WECR) Caucus is a national network of organizations working to address water equity and climate resilience — centering frontline communities of color and low-income communities.