In 2016, almost $16 000 was paid to the City of Owen Sound for Sewer and Water customers at risk of disconnection in 2016 by the United Way and other social service agencies. There has been a sudden increase in applicants to the program in 2017, jumping from 16 households all last year to 9 in the first ten weeks of 2017.

The United Way of Bruce Grey's Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn has some thoughts on the problem.

Without the trigger of a monthly bill, Dobbyn suggests, customers sometimes forget there is a water bill and missing just one City bill will put those six months behind at risk of disconnection.

United Way is requesting that the City launch an 18 month pilot project where monthly billing is provided to all Owen Sound Not-for-profit housing units and Grey County housing units - approximately 125 customers - as well as any Owen Sound resident who has experienced arrears and wishes to "opt in". The City's own By-law 2002-032 already allows for the option of monthly billing, and the pilot allows for the City to assess whether increased billing costs would be offset by reduced staff time on disconnection.

Benefits to monthly billing for customers

 Budgeting is easier

 If payment is going to be a challenge, the challenge is identified sooner

 Arrears will be smaller and therefore payment plans more manageable

 Leaks and over-usage are flagged immediately

 Monthly bill serves as a reminder when prioritizing what bills to pay

Benefits to monthly billing for City

 Higher compliance with bill collection

 Fewer disconnection and collection activities

 Increased cash flow

• The applicants to the United Way program had an average monthly income of $1 640.
• The average rent for a 2 bedroom home in the city is $861* without the cost of utilities.
•  The average rent/mortgage of applicants to the United Way Program is $1000

Applicants are spending well over 50% of their income on housing costs.