DeKalb County initiates groundbreaking comprehensive plan to address housing crisis

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County’s first-ever comprehensive housing plan, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the county’s growing housing crisis, was unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27.

“We’re at a critical juncture in DeKalb County’s history,” said Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who championed the plan. “The housing crisis is affecting families across our community, and we need a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address it. This housing plan is our roadmap to ensuring that everyone in DeKalb has access to a safe, affordable place to call home. It’s about building a future where no one is left behind.”

The Housing Plan, funded by a $250,000 allocation, will be developed with the expertise of a third-party vendor or vendors and will be drafted to be incorporated into the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The process to secure this vendor will begin by Nov. 30, 2024, with the final plan expected to provide actionable recommendations over a five-year period. 

The new housing plan will serve as a guiding framework for tackling a wide range of housing challenges across the county. These challenges include a significant increase in housing costs, a lack of sufficient local resources, and a shrinking supply of affordable rental units. With over 50 percent of renters in DeKalb County currently cost-burdened, this plan aims to bring much-needed relief to thousands of families.

“Many DeKalb County residents are facing housing insecurity, and this plan will help us more effectively ensure that all residents have access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said.

Key components of the plan will include:

• Comprehensive Gap Analysis: Identifying specific housing affordability needs across the county to guide targeted solutions.
• Increased Housing Supply: Strategies to boost the production of new, affordable housing and preserve existing units.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Engaging public and private stakeholders to leverage resources and drive effective housing solutions.
  
• Community Engagement: Incorporating input from residents across DeKalb to inform and shape local housing initiatives.
• Policy and Funding Innovations: Streamlining processes, reducing costs, and introducing new financial tools to support housing affordability.

Natallie Keiser, executive director of HouseATL,  praised the resolution.

“A housing plan for DeKalb County will lay the foundation for developing needed solutions for residents’ housing affordability challenges. I am looking forward to mobilizing HouseATL’s DeKalb County members to engage in the planning process and recommend needed tools to address the diverse issues of DeKalb County’s communities,” Keiser said.