Georgia ACT, Inc. to honor DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson as community housing champion

Cochran-Johnson will be recognized for her affordable housing advocacy, including rental assistance, advancing homeownership opportunities, and innovation in developing faith-based housing.

Cochran’s efforts include a Housing Resolution acknowledging affordable housing as a crisis and calling upon the Georgia State Delegation to consider rental rate caps and rental registries. Additionally, she has instituted a program in partnership with Operation HOPE to promote home ownership, which has provided over $20 million in down-payment assistance and home loans to first-time homeowners in DeKalb.

“As a person who travels around the state and nation advocating for affordable housing, Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is more than deserving of this honor,” said Bambie Hayes-Brown, president and CEO of Georgia ACT. “Commissioner Cochran-Johnson has the heart of gold and genuinely cares for not only her constituents but for all people. Affordable housing is hard, but Commissioner Cochran-Johnson has tackled this issue head-on and with grace and compassion. Equitable, safe, and affordable housing is a marathon and Commissioner Cochran-Johnson runs it well.”

Georgia ACT is a statewide organization representing nonprofit housing and community development organizations. The annual conference celebrates ongoing efforts to promote equitable housing and community development in Georgia. Since its establishment in 2014, Georgia ACT has been dedicated to building, supporting, and informing a thriving network of organizations, professionals, and individuals committed to advancing safe and decent housing.

Each year, Georgia ACT recognizes public service champions who have made transformative contributions to the affordable housing industry in Georgia. This year’s recipients include DeKalb County Commissioner Cochran-Johnson and City of Albany Commissioner Demetrius Young.