Detroit Residents Struggle with Utility Shutoffs Amid Rising Costs

Detroit, Michigan — Local residents are facing significant utility shutoffs as DTE Energy seeks a $574 million rate increase, leaving many like Tanisha Humphrey struggling to keep their lights on. On May 8, Humphrey’s gas and electric service was disconnected due to unpaid bills totaling over $4,000.

Humphrey, who lives in a three-bedroom bungalow on the west side of Detroit, pays between $500 and $600 per month for utilities, an amount that leaves her financially strained. ‘I’ve been trying to get help for months, but everywhere I turn they say they are out of funds,’ she said, addressing her frustration with the lack of assistance available.

Despite her job in billing for a public service, Humphrey finds it challenging to manage her utility costs. ‘With everything going up, people are going to have a hardship,’ she added, indicating the continuous rise in utility rates. DTE Energy has reported disconnections of 211,647 customers last year, an increase from the previous year, indicating a growing crisis in the region.

Humphrey’s disconnect was not an isolated incident. She spent Mother’s Day without power, sending her son to stay with his father. ‘That was tough, but I’d rather have him there, experiencing something normal for him,’ she explained.

While DTE Energy maintains that they work hard to prevent service interruptions, a spokesperson declined to comment specifically on Humphrey’s situation. They noted, ‘We never want anyone to fall behind or go without power.’

Humphrey has reached out to multiple assistance agencies, including St. Vincent de Paul and The Heat and Warmth Fund, only to find they were out of money for aid. After previous help allowed her to reconnect in October, funds are again stagnant.

Efforts to roll back clean energy regulations and rising operational costs are causing concern among residents. DTE’s proposed rate hike would raise bills by approximately $13.50 per month, exacerbating the financial strain on consumers already struggling with high energy expenses.

Additionally, Jasmine Carson, executive director at Wayne Metro, confirmed that the state’s Major Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is out of funds until the new fiscal year starts in October.

The growing unpaid bills crisis is reflected in DTE’s quarterly reports to regulators, which show thousands facing cutoffs each year. As more households like Humphrey’s struggle, the urgency for systemic solutions grows.

‘It’s embarrassing to put your business out there, but sometimes you just have to let people know what’s going on in order to get help,’ she said. Thanks to recent media attention, her situation caught the eye of local assistance agencies, leading to the restoration of power late Monday evening.

Humphrey now has a payment plan in place and hopes to regain financial stability. ‘I’m just very grateful for all the help,’ she said, as she navigates the challenges of affording basic utilities in a struggling economy.