DeKalb County invests $21M to address housing affordability crisis, 11 nonprofits to provide rent + utilities assistance

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Help is on the way for DeKalb County residents struggling to pay rent and utilities amid metro Atlanta’s housing crisis. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s $21 million plan to assist residents was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 13.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a housing affordability crisis in our county,” CEO Thurmond said. “This multimillion-dollar investment will prevent and protect families from evictions from their rental homes and apartments.”

The DeKalb County Community Care Initiative will distribute $13 million to 11 nonprofit organizations to provide rental and utility assistance, employment assistance, training, mental health services, educational needs, food, childcare and legal services.

The initiative is a partnership between DeKalb County Community Development’s Coordinated Entry and several experienced nonprofits, in collaboration with the HUD-approved HOME-ARP program, also administered by DeKalb County Community Development, which has an additional $7.8 million in funding.

Through the DeKalb County Community Care Initiative, payments will be made toward rent and utilities by various DeKalb County nonprofits. Additionally, program participants will be provided case management to facilitate housing stability. Through case management, participants will be assessed and, if eligible, appropriately referred to additional supportive services available under HOME-ARP.

Participating nonprofit partners, along with their grant amounts and services they will provide, include:

• • New Life Community Ministries, $2.9 million, rent and utilities
  • Urban League of Greater Atlanta, $ 2.9 million, rent and utilities
  • Latin American Association, $2 million, rent and utilities
  • DeKalb County Government, $300,000, Coordinated Entry Services
  • Atlanta Legal Aid Society, $600,000, housing stability services
  • Jewish Family Career Services of Atlanta, $1 million, rent and utilities
  • New American Pathways, $1.04 million, rent and utilities,
  • Africa’s Children Fund, $1 million, rent and utilities
  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul, $1 million, rent and utilities
  • DeKalb Pro Bono, $200,000, housing stability services
  • Paws Between Homes, $60,000, housing stability services