DeKalb County Government and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta (ULGA) have launched the Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP), a new initiative aimed at helping income-eligible households manage water and sewer bills.
The program officially begins as the county’s planned 10 percent water and sewer rate increase goes into effect, a Sept. 3 news release said.
The increase marks the first phase of a long-term strategy to upgrade the county’s aging water and sewer system. DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced shortly after taking office that the county will implement a 10 percent rate adjustment each January over the next decade to fund critical improvements.
“We understand that any increase can be difficult for some households,” said Cochran-Johnson in the release. “That is why we have partnered with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to launch WRAP. This program will help keep water service affordable for our most vulnerable residents, while we continue to make the necessary investments to protect public health and support our county’s growth.”
According to the WRAP website, the income limit for one person applying for the initiative is $48,000, $54,840 for two people, $61,690 for three persons, and $68,520 for four people.
Under the program, eligible households’ water and sewer bills will be limited to no more than 4.5 percent of their annual income—a standard that is lower than federal and international affordability guidelines. Households already paying below that threshold do not qualify.
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The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will oversee the program’s administration, including application intake and eligibility review, the release said.
“Access to clean, affordable water is a basic human necessity,” said Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO of ULGA. “Through WRAP, we are ensuring that no family has to choose between their water bill and other essential needs. We’re proud to stand with DeKalb County to make this support available.”
Those asking for assistance can apply online, call 404-371-6261, or email DeKalbWaterAssist@ulgatl.org
Visit the WRAP website to learn more about the program, the new rate structure, and additional support resources.
