DEKALB COUNTY, Georgia. – DeKalb County plans to invest $21 million in a new affordable housing initiative.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the measure at its August 13 meeting.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a housing affordability crisis in our county,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “This multi-million dollar investment will protect families from eviction from their rental homes and apartments.”
The plan, known as the DeKalb County Community Care Initiative, provides $13 million to 11 nonprofit organizations. These funds will be used to provide rental and utility assistance, employment and training opportunities, mental health care, educational support, food, child care and legal services.
It is a collaboration between DeKalb County Community Development’s Coordinated Entry system and several experienced nonprofit organizations. It is also linked to the HUD-approved HOME-ARP program, administered by DeKalb County Community Development, which provides an additional $7.8 million in funding.
Under the initiative, payments for rent and utilities are provided by various DeKalb County nonprofit organizations. Participants also receive case management services to promote housing stability, with assessments conducted to determine eligibility for additional supportive services available under HOME-ARP.
Participating nonprofit partners and their respective grant amounts and services include:
- New Life Community Ministries: $2.9 million for rent and utilities
- Urban League of Greater Atlanta: $2.9 million for rent and utilities
- Latin American Association: $2 million for rent and utilities
- DeKalb County Government: $300,000 for coordinated entry services
- Atlanta Legal Aid Society: $600,000 for housing stability services
- Jewish Family Career Services of Atlanta: $1 million for rent and utilities
- New American Pathways: $1.04 million for rent and utilities
- Africa’s Children Fund: $1 million for rent and utilities
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul: $1 million for rent and utilities
- DeKalb Pro Bono: $200,000 for housing stability services
- Paws Between Homes: $60,000 for housing stability services
