The City Council has requested that financial assistance be provided to low-income residential sewer customers to mitigate the impact of the upcoming sewer rate increase. Financial assistance would provide an additional $20/year to the $175 offered through the existing SHARE Program for qualified low-income residential utility customers.

City staff will partner with Riverside Public Utilities and return with an amendment to the current SHARE agreement in May 2009 to provide for such assistance in Fiscal Year 2009/10. Staff believes that $20/year in financial assistance to qualifying residential customers. This represents 10% in annual assistance per eligible customer. The FY 2009/10 cost of the financial assistance would be approximately $109,800.

The SHARE program is administered by Riverside County Department of Public Social Services Community Action, and is currently supported by voluntary customer contributions, and the City of Riverside general fund.

Qualified customers may receive assistance once per calendar year. Applicants must complete an application at the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services & Community Action, 2038 Iowa Ave., Ste. B-102, Riverside. They must bring a copy of their current utility bill, proof of all household income, birth certificate, and social security card.