DeKalb County unveils Comprehensive Housing Plan, framework includes creation of housing council

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson this week unveiled the County’s Comprehensive Housing Plan, a coordinated strategy designed to address housing needs—from homelessness and housing instability to rental opportunities, attainable homeownership and the development and preservation of quality housing.

The plan represents a comprehensive approach to one of the most pressing challenges facing communities throughout metro Atlanta, ensuring residents at every stage of life and income level have access to safe, stable and attainable housing.

“Housing is more than a roof over someone’s head. It is the foundation upon which families build stability, children succeed, seniors age with dignity and communities thrive,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “Our Comprehensive Housing Plan recognizes that there is no single solution to our housing challenges. We must address the entire housing continuum and create pathways that allow residents not simply to remain in DeKalb, but to prosper here.”

The plan also establishes a more coordinated framework for advancing housing policy and initiatives across DeKalb County, including the creation of a Housing Council and a strengthened housing leadership structure to align County resources, partnerships and programs. 

“We cannot solve housing challenges in silos,” Cochran-Johnson said. “This requires government, developers, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, service providers and our communities working together toward a common goal. DeKalb County is bringing those partners to the table and creating the structure necessary to move from individual programs to a comprehensive housing strategy.”

Alan Ferguson, Sr., DeKalb County’s Chief Housing Officer, said the comprehensive plan provides the blueprint for addressing housing needs--one of the County’s most pressing issues.  

“A comprehensive housing strategy must meet residents where they are, while creating clear pathways toward greater stability and opportunity,” said Ferguson.  “The plan gives us a unified framework to align our programs, investments and partnerships across the entire housing continuum. Just as importantly, it establishes measurable goals that will help us remain accountable and ensure our work produces meaningful, lasting results for DeKalb residents.”

The County’s approach recognizes that housing needs vary significantly among residents. For some, the immediate need is emergency shelter and supportive services. For others, it is an affordable rental unit, assistance remaining in an existing home or an opportunity to purchase a first home. Still others are searching for quality housing that allows them to remain in DeKalb as their families, careers and circumstances change.

Under the Comprehensive Housing Plan, DeKalb County will work to connect those needs with coordinated programs, investments and partnerships while encouraging the development and preservation of housing throughout the county.

The housing strategy builds upon the County’s broader efforts to address housing insecurity and expand opportunity, while creating a framework to measure progress and ensure housing investments produce meaningful outcomes for residents.

Through the Comprehensive Housing Plan, DeKalb County will continue working with public, private, nonprofit and community partners to leverage resources, increase housing supply, preserve existing housing and expand opportunities for residents throughout the county.

Photos via DeKalb County: Alan Ferguson, Sr., CPh.D., DeKa Chief Housing Officer