LIHWA is not available at this time.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWA) is a federal program that helps low-income households pay for their water and wastewater. LIHWA was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act which ended September 30, 2023.
Finding alternative funding brings challenges such as limited resources, administrative barriers, and legal issues.
Anyone wishing to help fund and continue a water assistance program, through CAPECO, is urged to Contact Us or visit our Donate page.
Finding alternative funding brings challenges such as limited resources, administrative barriers, and legal issues.
Anyone wishing to help fund and continue a water assistance program, through CAPECO, is urged to Contact Us or visit our Donate page.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program
The new Federal program, Low-Income Household Water Assistance (LIHWA) Program, is available to help households pay their water and wastewater (sewer) bills.
LIHWA was established by Congress through the appropriation of $638M in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 and an additional $500M in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Federal administration is through the Office of Community Services (OCS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has been designated as the State of Oregon grantee.
OHCS has been working diligently through a values-based planning process with water and wastewater utilities, utility associations, the community action agency network, and culturally responsive organizations to construct the LIHWA Program for the state. Oregon has received $13.8 million to provide LIHWA assistance to low-income households who have a high water burden. Payments will go directly to the owners and operators of water and wastewater utilities.
LIHWA was established by Congress through the appropriation of $638M in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 and an additional $500M in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Federal administration is through the Office of Community Services (OCS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has been designated as the State of Oregon grantee.
OHCS has been working diligently through a values-based planning process with water and wastewater utilities, utility associations, the community action agency network, and culturally responsive organizations to construct the LIHWA Program for the state. Oregon has received $13.8 million to provide LIHWA assistance to low-income households who have a high water burden. Payments will go directly to the owners and operators of water and wastewater utilities.
Qualify
To qualify:
- Be under 60% State Median Income, as shown in the chart below.
- Have a water bill in an adult household member’s name. **if your water bill is in your landlord or property management company’s name, contact us to discuss, as there are some extra steps in that case.
- Have Water services provided by one of the following Oregon cities (select County below to see participating cities)
|
Gilliam County
Morrow County
Umatilla County
Wheeler County
|
LIHWA funding has run out. This program is not currently available.
Apply
Click the button below and complete the Water/Sewer Assistance Application packet. Or, contact us for a paper application packet, 541-289-7755.
To complete the application process, once you have completed the application packet, please contact our staff to set up an in-person appointment, 541-289-7755.
To complete the application process, once you have completed the application packet, please contact our staff to set up an in-person appointment, 541-289-7755.
Community Action Program of East Central Oregon
Copyright 2025, CAPECO (Community Action Program of East Central Oregon)