The Human Utility

Dignity for everyone, everyday. Donors like you have helped over 1,200 families w/water bills in Michigan + Baltimore since July 2014. Water is a human right.

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

Raise the minimum wage to at least $20/hr. Yes, we said it.

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@miles_k @SIfill_ We have to move more people to solar whenever, wherever we can. Easier said than done, but yeah.

Energy should practically be a basic human right, too. It's an essential component of modern living just like water

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

On World Water Day, we're still here! Still doing the work ;D

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

We've been so honored to have your support, Anthony! We'll be sharing your updates throughout your marathon, too

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@bruinrob11 @tiffani Hi Rob! Sorry you've had some difficulties. We've had problems the last few months with legitimate emails going to spam and being automatically deleted before we catch them.

We do see one email from you. We've taken care of that for you. Thanks for giving!

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@daiyitastic It is! But, we've been having problems with tons of legitimate emails going to spam for some reason. Your emails likely ended up there and we were unable to catch them before they were automatically deleted. We apologize for this.

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

Yesterday I tweeted a list of things people should know about their utility services.

It's pretty important stuff, and often, the powers-that-be depend on us all just paying our utility bills without knowing the details behind how these entities work.

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@_timothee @tiffani Hi Tim! We did. We also paused your giving until we figure out what's going on. We promise to get back to you before the weekend is over. Thank you for your patience.

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@_timothee @tiffani Hi Tim! When did you send your message? We don't see any recent emails from you. Please re-send to [email protected]

[Duane O'Brien is @[email protected] @DuaneOBrien]

This is why you should give money to @humanutility

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

Thanks for connecting us to their office, Mayor @FrancisSuarez!

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

We also noted that options for assistance on Miami-Dade Water's website are buried and should be displayed more prominently (the front page!). He is having someone change that.

We'll wait to see the bill changes, but glad the conversation is moving forward.

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

Just talked to the Interim Director of @MiamiDadeWater Jose Cueto about the language around shutoffs and late fees on water bills.

This push moved them to work on changing the language on bills to reflect the moratorium, that ppl can pay what they can, and payment options. (1/n)

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

With lots of misinformation flying around, people rely on what statements they are getting in the mail directly from the county say.

This is a good service design opportunity to convey that there is a moratorium by adjusting statement language. @MayorDaniella @MiamiDadeWater

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

If the goal is to still collect revenue where you can, that's fine, but this is a dark way to do it. We have people calling @HumanUtility with total fear in their voices because they are still getting shutoff notices like these.

@MayorDaniella @MiamiDadeWater

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

Thanks for responding. But, the problem is that even if your county has a water shutoff moratorium in place, the statements you send people still suggest they'll be shutoff if they don't pay.

How can we get the language adjusted to not say that? @MayorDaniella

An example:

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

If our website is glitching a bit and you're not getting a proper receipt, please email us at [email protected]. Apologies. We'll make sure you get one.

[Hank Green @hankgreen]

If you want to help some people, here's a great way to do it. I'll donate a dollar for every like this gets in the next hour. $2 for every retweet. But please also consider donating yourself!

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@toomuchpete @tiffani @shervin A little too fast. DM us your email address and we'll make sure you get a proper receipt!

[Tiffani Ashley Bell @tiffani]

Heard from the Detroit Workforce Development Board this week. That's exciting because we at The @HumanUtility could start working with them to try to find jobs for people applying for help with their water bills (if they're interested). Now and long term.

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

@AndrewNebus @MayorBMScott Waiting on somebody, anybody over at @BaltimoreDPW to call us back to help many more people! 🤔

[The Human Utility @humanutility]

Just updated our transparency board. 349 families helped so far this year with approx. $142,846.47 in water bill assistance.

If you know families in need, send them to us. Many places have shutoff moratoriums, but the bills aren't forgiven. https://t.co/qdUXPdKlrG