DeKalb County strengthens safety net as SNAP funding faces federal suspension

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is organizing a continuum of care to ensure housing and food security as lingering uncertainty over SNAP and future HUD Section 8 fundings continues.

Cochran-Johnson is joining metro leaders in urging immediate federal action to prevent a suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding that could disrupt food access for more than 54,000* DeKalb County households, representing approximately 127,000 residents.

According to the Georgia Department of Human Services, federal funding for SNAP is scheduled to end on November 1, 2025, unless Congress acts to extend it. Under Georgia’s SNAP issuance schedule, benefit interruptions are expected to take effect beginning November 5 if funding is not restored. This potential lapse could significantly impact families who rely on SNAP benefits to meet their most basic food needs.

DeKalb County residents currently receive an estimated $20.8 million in SNAP benefits each month*, providing essential support to both families and local businesses.

“Food insecurity is one of the most pressing issues facing our communities,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “While we remain hopeful that Congress will act swiftly to restore program funding, we are preparing for every scenario to ensure DeKalb families have access to the resources they need. We have called on Washington to take immediate action to prevent any disruption in the delivery of critical nutrition assistance to Georgia families.”

Last week, CEO Cochran-Johnson formally expressed her concerns to federal and state leaders, including Georgia’s congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), urging immediate federal intervention to protect vulnerable residents who rely on SNAP and HUD Section 8 housing vouchers. The letters can be found here.

Coordinated Local Response

In anticipation of potential interruptions, DeKalb County is activating partnerships and expanding local resources to protect families during this period of uncertainty.

The County is coordinating with DeKalb County Schools, Housing Authority of DeKalb County, and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, to strengthen food, housing, and financial stability efforts while taking proactive steps to ensure there is no interruption of essential services.

• School Meals:DeKalb County is working closely with DeKalb County Schools to ensure that students who rely on federal assistance programs continue receiving nutritious meals. The County is also exploring opportunities to eliminate existing student meal balances so that no child goes hungry during this time.
• Community Support:A comprehensive DeKalb County Resource Guide and expanded food security initiatives will be announced on November 5, 2025, outlining available food pantries, meal programs, and emergency support services across the county. Residents are encouraged to obtain a list of resources compiled by DeKalb County Human Resources Department at www.resourcesindekalb.com.
• Water Assistance:Individuals experiencing income instability or difficulty managing utility payments are urged to contact the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, which is providing immediate assistance through the DeKalb Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP). The WRAP initiative helps eligible low-income families pay their water and sewer bills. More information is available at ulgatl.org/dekalb-wrap-program.
• Unemployed Water Assistance:Individuals who have lost employment or may be experiencing underemployment or delays in salaries due to the federal shutdown should contact a DeKalb County Customer Care Representative at 404-378-4475 to stop payments during periods of unemployment.
• Housing Stability:In partnership with the Housing Authority of DeKalb County and the County’s Community Development Department, DeKalb is connecting residents with available rental and utility assistance programs. Through the HOME-ARP Program, the County has established an intake system staffed by nine full-time operators to assist residents efficiently and effectively. While specific criteria must be met to qualify, intake specialists are available to help residents determine eligibility and apply for assistance. Residents seeking help with rental and utility assistance may contact the HOME-ARP team at 404-687-3500. Please note that hold times may be longer than usual due to increased call volume.

Currently, approximately $6 million in HOME-ARP funds remain available to assist residents who meet program criteria.

Federal Funding Context

It should be noted that federal guidelines required all pandemic-related relief funds to be expended by December 31, 2024. As a result, DeKalb County, like many communities across the nation, is now facing significant challenges as millions of families experience food insecurity and housing instability amid ongoing federal shutdowns and cuts in appropriations.

During the height of the pandemic, DeKalb County invested $83 million for rent and utility assistance and $6.3 million for food security through the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan funds. These funds provided critical relief to thousands of residents; however, with their expiration, the need for sustained federal support remains urgent.

The Housing Authority of DeKalb County has confirmed that it anticipates receiving full funding to cover Housing Choice Voucher payments for November 2025, amounting to approximately $5.2 million in support for nearly 6,000 families.

“We are very pleased and thankful that HUD has come through for us with this funding during this difficult time,” said E.P. “Pete” Walker, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of DeKalb County. “At this point, we are operating on a month-to-month basis regarding whether HUD will be able to release funding. We are good for November and have faith that HUD will once again come through for December. It has been our experience that the agency consistently honors its commitments on behalf of families and landlords, and we remain hopeful that they will do so again.”

As was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), current funding levels for rental and food assistance remain significantly lower than those available from 2020–2024. The County continues to advocate for additional state and federal resources to bridge this gap and sustain essential services for residents in need.

Next week, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will consider the allocation of additional funding to assist residents facing food insecurity. With the Board’s support, the CEO plans to expand its efforts through new partnerships and community food distributions to ensure no family in DeKalb goes without access to nutritious meals.

“I want to assure DeKalb residents that we see you, we hear you, and we are working on your behalf,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “DeKalb County is committed to doing everything within our power to support families, children, seniors, and all of our residents in need during this uncertain time.”

* Figures are based on the most recent data available from the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) at the time of this release and may have been updated by the time of publication.