DeKalb County, Urban League Launch Water Rate Assistance Program to Support Families

By Milton Kirby | DeKalb County, GA | August 17, 2025

DeKalb County has partnered with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta (ULGA) to launch the Water Rate Assistance Program (W.R.A.P.), a new initiative designed to help low-income households manage rising water costs. The program comes as the county implements a decade-long plan to modernize its aging water and sewer infrastructure, which requires a 10% rate increase each January for the next ten years.

County leaders say the rate adjustments are critical to reducing water main breaks, preventing service disruptions, and ensuring safe, clean water for decades to come. But they also acknowledge that the increases could pose financial challenges for vulnerable families.

“We understand that any increase can be difficult for some households,” said DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “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 make the necessary investments to protect public health and support our county’s growth.”

How WRAP Works

The WRAP program ensures that eligible households spend no more than 4.5% of their annual income on water and sewer bills, a threshold below federal and international affordability standards. Families whose bills already fall under that percentage are not eligible.

Benefits include:

Reduced water and sewer bills based on income and family size
Protection from service disconnections
Flexible payment plan options
Confidential and respectful service

Eligibility requires residents to be DeKalb County account holders, with income at or below 60% of HUD’s 2025 Adjusted Home Income Limits for the Atlanta metro area. Households receiving SNAP, SSI, or Social Security benefits may also qualify. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will manage applications and verify eligibility.

“Access to clean, affordable water is a basic human necessity,” said Nancy Flake Johnson, President and CEO of ULGA. “Through W.R.A.P., we are ensuring that no family has to choose between paying their water bill and meeting other essential needs.”

Urban League’s Longstanding Role

Founded in 1920 as the Atlanta Urban League, the organization began as an affiliate of the National Urban League to support African American families migrating from rural Georgia to industrial Atlanta. At a time when the city was deeply segregated, the League provided pathways to jobs, housing, health care, and education.

In 2011, the agency became the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, a name that reflects its regional focus. Today, its mission is to “Empower Communities and Change Lives!” through programs that prepare the workforce for 21st-century jobs, improve graduation rates, foster homeownership, support entrepreneurs, and advocate for equity in education, civic life, and economic development.

The League’s initiatives extend across five pillars:

Human Services, Health & Wellness: Stabilizing families and promoting long-term economic security.
Workforce Development: Offering career pathways, education, and upskilling.
Entrepreneurship Center: Providing coaching and resources to help small businesses grow.
Housing and Homeownership: Delivering counseling, financial preparedness, and access to safe, affordable housing, including through the Housing Urban Blueprint (HUB) launched in 2023.
Policy and Civic Engagement: Building coalitions to advocate for systemic change in public safety, justice, and civic participation.

The National Urban League, founded in 1910, now leads 98 affiliates in 36 states, making it one of the most influential community-based networks in the nation.

How to Apply for WRAP

Applications open August 15 and can be submitted by: