Enhancing Equity and Sustainability in Utility Assistance Programs

In this study, we will implement a randomized intervention to assess strategies for increasing retention in, and maximizing benefits of, a means-tested utility assistance and debt-forgiveness program. Our focus is on the City of Philadelphia’s (Philadelphia) Tiered-Assistance Program (TAP), which assists low- to moderate-income households by setting monthly water bills equal to a proportion of household income, coupled with debt forgiveness conditional on meeting the program’s requirements and participation. TAP is an innovative program designed to address water affordability, yet it is challenged by administrative burdens related to enrollment and retention, maintaining revenue, and jointly promoting affordability and conservation. In partnership with Philadelphia, we will implement and evaluate a randomized control trial to test whether behavioral messaging can increase retention, reduce nonpayment of water bills, promote sustainable resource use for consumers who do not pay a volumetric price for water, and improve the overall financial health of participants.