DeKalb CEO addresses Urban Camping Ordinance, outlines housing investments, coordinated response

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is reaffirming the County’s commitment to a compassionate, coordinated homelessness response and proposing a 120-day preparation period before implementation of the Urban Camping Ordinance.

The Board of Commissioners approved the ordinance on Oct. 27, 2026, by a 5–2 vote. The measure addresses behaviors affecting public safety, access to public spaces and obstruction of public infrastructure. 

In a letter to residents, Cochran-Johnson emphasized that implementation must be supported by outreach, shelter, behavioral health services and pathways to stable housing.

“Residents deserve safe, accessible public spaces,” Cochran-Johnson wrote. “Equally important, individuals experiencing homelessness deserve compassion, opportunity, shelter, services, and pathways to stability. Good policy must recognize both realities.”

State Law and DeKalb’s Response

DeKalb County’s response, officials said, is also guided by its responsibility to comply with Georgia Senate Bill 62, enacted as Act 274and effective July 1, 2023. The law addresses local enforcement policies concerning unauthorized public camping, sleeping, and sidewalk obstructions. It also restricts certain drop-offs of unhoused individuals outside a hospital’s service area or a local government’s jurisdiction, subject to specified exceptions, and requires a state performance audit of spending on homelessness programs and services.

SB 62 prohibits counties and municipalities from adopting or enforcing written policies that prohibit enforcement of existing public camping, sleeping or sidewalk obstruction ordinances. It authorizes the Georgia Attorney General to bring civil actions to address violations and allows individuals to seek a writ of mandamus, a court order compelling compliance with the law.

The law also expressly preserves the ability of local governments to encourage diversion programs and offer services instead of citation or arrest. This provision is central to DeKalb’s approach: maintaining compliance with state law while strengthening outreach, shelter access, behavioral health support and pathways to stable housing.

The administration’s proposed preparation period would support coordination among public safety, outreach teams and service providers so that offers of assistance connect residents with available resources.

Joint Policy Statement and Public Safety Response

On Jan.13, 2026, the Board approved the substitute for Agenda Item 2024-1233, adopting the Governing Authority’s Joint Policy Statement on an Effective, Coordinated, and Compassionate Response to Homelessness. The policy affirms that homelessness and poverty, in and of themselves, shall not be treated as criminal conduct.

Under the CEO’s leadership and direction, the DeKalb County Public Safety Department is committed to the Joint Policy Statement. Individuals will not be arrested because they are homeless, officials stated in a press release.  Consistent with the policy, DKPD’s practices are grounded in constitutional policing, safety, dignity and de-escalation, and in connecting individuals with supportive services where appropriate.

The policy also preserves officers’ discretion to respond when criminal conduct occurs or public safety is at risk. Its guiding principles support coordinated referrals, sustainable service capacity and ongoing collaboration among County departments and community partners.

Investments in Shelter, Services and Housing

The administration and Board of Commissioners have advanced unprecedented landmark initiatives to support unhoused residents and prevent housing instability:

• November 2025 — Warming and cooling centers.The County implemented centers to accommodate unhoused residents during inclement weather.
• December 2025 — Inclement-weather shelter support.The County committed more than $600,000 annually to shelter and support services during inclement weather.
• December 2025 — Emergency shelter.The County invested in its first emergency housing shelter. The 400-bed facility offers meals, showers, overnight accommodations and wraparound services.
• December 2025 — Park 500.The County opened its $8 million, 60-unit rapid housing project to provide housing opportunities for single mothers with children experiencing housing instability.
• December 2025 — Service coordination and partnerships.The County expanded nonprofit partnerships, coordinated entry, case management, shelter operations and data management through Community Development to better connect residents with assistance.
• June 15, 2026 — South DeKalb Day Center.The $1.7 million center at New Life opened to connect unhoused residents with services through partnerships including Claratel Behavioral Health, Frontline Response and workforce development resources. As of August 31, 2026, the center had served 1,070 residents.
• June 2026 — North DeKalb Day Center plan.The Board approved plans for a second, $1.5 million day center in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul. The planned center will provide access to meals, coordinated entry, mental health services, primary health care, workforce development and GED preparation.
• July 14, 2026 — Housing Investment Bond Program.The Board approved the $155 million program to expand housing opportunities, preserve affordability and strengthen the County’s response to homelessness.
• September 28, 2026 — Federal funding application.The County submitted its 2026 homelessness funding application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, seeking a potential $8.4 million award to support residents experiencing chronic homelessness. The funding remains a potential award rather than an awarded grant.

The administration also established DeKalb’s first Chief Housing Officer position and the DeKalb Housing Council to strengthen long-term planning, partnerships and accountability. The County continues to pursue extended-stay hotel conversions and other opportunities to create transitional and permanent housing.

Long-Term Funding and Proposed Service Expansion

The Housing Investment Bond Program is projected to generate more than $1.2 billion in public and private investment and support the creation or preservation of more than 10,000 housing units, advancing the County’s goal of 15,000 units by 2032.

Of the bond investment, $30 million is allocated over the next three years for capital assets serving unhoused residents, including transitional housing, shelters and extended-stay conversion projects. These facilities are intended to support housing assistance beyond the initial investment period.

Additional proposals before the Board would strengthen the County’s response. Agenda Item 2026-1457 would support expanded street outreach, case management, coordinated entry, data coordination and shelter operations as part of the County’s Unhoused Support and Services Plan. Legislation supporting the plan’s service expansion was introduced in October 2026.

The proposed Road to Home/Safe Space DeKalb initiative, sponsored by Commissioner Nicole Massiah, would support individuals and families living in vehicles through secure overnight parking, hygiene services, meals, vehicle maintenance assistance and other wraparound support. The administration is exploring potential locations as part of implementation planning.

Coordinated Jail and Behavioral Health Efforts

The administration’s coordinated response also includes working with the Board of Commissioners, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, service providers and public safety partners to address the behavioral health needs of individuals in custody and strengthen connections to care.

Cochran-Johnson recognized that gaps in community-based mental health care have placed significant demands on jails, which frequently serve individuals with serious behavioral health needs. As part of the 2027 budget process, her administration is evaluating options to strengthen mental health services for incarcerated individuals and support coordination among jail personnel, behavioral health providers and community partners. The goal is to connect people with appropriate treatment and supportive services, improve continuity of care and reduce reliance on the criminal justice system as a response to homelessness and unmet mental health needs.

Preparation, Coordination and Accountability

During the proposed 120-day preparation period, the administration would work with the Board, Community Development, public safety agencies and service providers to clarify responsibilities and shore-up referral pipeline. This work includes pursuing additional support for behavioral health co-response with Claratel Behavioral Health.

Chief Housing Officer Dr. Alan Ferguson will work with Community Development and service providers to strengthen connections to housing. Chief of Strategic Initiatives Omari Crawford will help coordinate the administration’s efforts so outreach, public safety and housing services operate as a connected system.

The administration will monitor implementation and policy outcomes while continuing to evaluate behavioral health resources through the 2027 budget process.

Read More

• Read Georgia Senate Bill 62
• Read DeKalb County’s Urban Camping Ordinance
• Read DeKalb County’s Joint Policy Statement on Homelessness