The $5 monthly fee will begin in July and will appear on August water bills. The city will expand the W.A.T.E.R. Fund to support older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income residents.
The City of Houston will provide financial assistance to eligible residents to help cover the new $5 monthly garbage collection fee.
The assistance will be offered through the Water Aid to Elderly Residents Fund, known as the W.A.T.E.R. Fund, an existing program that already helps older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income customers with water and sewer bill payments.
The Houston City Council approved on Wednesday, June 17, a modification to allow that fund to also be used to help with the new garbage fee. The charge will begin in July and, depending on the billing cycle of each account, some residents will see it reflected on their August water bill.
The monthly fee will be $5 at the outset
The new garbage charge is part of the city’s $7.5 billion budget approved for the new fiscal year.
Houston had traditionally funded garbage collection with general city resources, but the new charge creates a separate monthly fee for residential customers. The city has about 400,000 garbage-collection customers.
The fee is expected to be $5 per month for the first two years. After that, it could gradually increase in $5 annual increments up to $25, although Mayor John Whitmire has not committed to raising it beyond $5 without seeing improvements in the operations of the trash department.
The charge was presented as a way to help fund the collection service and address the operational problems in the solid waste area.
Who Can Apply for Help
Assistance will be directed at residents who already fit the W.A.T.E.R. Fund profile.
Houston Public Works describes that fund as a relief program for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income residents who need help paying their water and sewer bills.
With the council-approved change, qualifying residents will also be able to apply for support to cover the new monthly garbage fee.
The W.A.T.E.R. Fund offers up to $100 every six months for eligible customers. The fund is sustained by voluntary donations and, according to Houston Public Works, 100% of contributions go toward helping people who need support.
The change aims to protect residents with limited incomes
The modification was proposed by Councilmember Alejandra Salinas.
Salinas said that working families, older adults, and people with disabilities are already under pressure from rising costs and should not face another monthly charge without some form of support.
“I think this is going to provide real relief for Houstonians who are worried,” Salinas said during the council meeting before the vote.
Other council members also noted they had heard residents’ concerns about their ability to pay the new fee.
Councilmember Mario Castillo said it was positive that the city acted before the charge began to be applied, so residents would have a pathway to assistance.
More money could also go to the fund
In addition to expanding the use of the W.A.T.E.R. Fund, Castillo also proposed adding $500,000 from the city’s general fund to the program.
That proposal would first go through the Government Operations Committee before returning to the City Council for a vote.
For now, the confirmed fact is that the city approved allowing the W.A.T.E.R. Fund to be used to help with the new garbage fee.
Residents who believe they may qualify should review Houston Public Works’ official information or contact the city to learn the application process, the required documents, and the availability of funds.
The fee will appear on the water bill
The new charge will be billed through the water bill for residential customers.
The fee takes effect in July. Depending on the billing cycle, some residents could see it reflected as soon as August.
This means that families who already receive or rely on utility assistance should review their upcoming bills and verify whether the new charge appears.
The city also maintains other programs related to water accounts, billing adjustments, and customer assistance. However, the assistance related to the new garbage fee will be channeled through the W.A.T.E.R. Fund.
Information Residents Should Review
Residents who think they may need help should keep the following in mind:
- The new fee will be $5 per month
- The charge will begin in July
- It could appear on the August water bill
- The assistance will be for eligible residents
- The W.A.T.E.R. Fund supports older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income customers
- The program can offer up to $100 every six months
- Assistance depends on eligibility and fund availability
It is also advisable to keep copies of recent bills, identification, proof of income, and any documents the city asks for when it posts or confirms the application process for this specific aid.
What’s Next for the City
Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi will need to present to the City Council performance measures for the solid waste area in the coming weeks.
That report will be relevant because the city has tied any possible future rate increases to improvements in service.
Meanwhile, the newly approved assistance by the Council aims to give older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families an option before the fee starts appearing on bills.
Residents should review their water bills starting in August and consult Houston Public Works’ official information to learn how to apply for support through the W.A.T.E.R. Fund.
