City leaders want Savannah residents grappling with unpaid balances for city utilities to know they have assistance options to avoid potential service disruptions.
The move comes as the City of Savannah’s utility services department readies to resume normal operations in September. The city suspended most water service shut-offs and the assessment of fees and penalties on past-due utility bills in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
In July, the city's utility services department began contacting customers with unpaid balances to notify them collections would resume in September. Customers have 30 days to pay their bill without penalty. Late fees apply after that date.
Customers are encouraged to apply for assistance or payment arrangement as soon as possible by contacting the utility services department at 912-651-6460 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Utility payments were top of mind for Savannah Mayor Van Johnson during his weekly press briefing on Tuesday. He pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent rejection of the Biden administration's eviction moratorium and urged Savannahians to have a plan when it comes to utilities, rent and mortgages.
“I’m just hoping people don’t wait until the last minute. If you know that you haven’t paid your rent and you know that you’ve been to court or you’re preparing to go to court, go ahead and start making plans now for where you’re going to go,” Johnson said.
“It’s distressing to see people’s personal belongings being put on the side of the street. We hate seeing that. So, go ahead and make the plan now.”
Individuals and landlords facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic can also receive assistance to pay past-due utilities and rent through the State of Georgia Rental Assistance Program.
The money will be distributed directly to landlords, and eligible applicants will receive up to 12 months of payment relief. For more information about eligibility and to apply, go to georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov.
Additionally, the Economic Opportunity Authority of Savannah-Chatham County is distributing funds available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to eligible households to pay rent, rental arrears, utilities, home energy costs, internet services and other expenses.
For more information about eligibility and to apply, call 912-238-2960 (ext. 100, 128, 130, 131, or 139) or email monac@eoasga.org, Tamonias@eoasga.org, Shirleyb@eoasga.org, Nikitam@eoasga.org, Larondar@eoasga.org or Shadiquao@eoasga.org.
Katie Nussbaum is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Contact her at knussbaum@savannahnow.com. Twitter: KmartSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah to resume water bill collections after long suspension; offers assistance to those with unpaid balances
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