DeKalb honored for veterans housing program

DeKalb County was recently honored as a 2017 County of Distinction for its “Functional Zero” Veteran Housing Program. DeKalb was one of six counties in Georgia to receive the designation during the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) Legislative Leadership Conference, said Kathie Gannon, Presiding Officer for the DeKalb County Board of Commission.

The term “functional zero” means the county has achieved a higher number of veterans in housing than homeless.

“I am proud to support this housing, transitional, and supportive service initiative that targets our most vulnerable Veterans,” Gannon said.

The Counties of Distinction designation recognizes counties that focus on improving the community. This year’s award recipients were chosen for their initiatives to provide better access to healthcare, promote safer streets, combat veteran homelessness, offer alternative solutions to nonviolent offenders, bring jobs to the community, and to establish regional road paving partnerships.

The county has a higher number of veterans in housing than homeless. After the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and the departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs encouraged communities to end homelessness, DeKalb developed plans to assist veterans.

To achieve functional zero, DeKalb worked with various organizations such as the Housing Authority of DeKalb County and the VA to identify veterans who experience difficulty with locating permanent housing and provided landlords with proper training to ensure both parties maintain healthy relationships to prevent veteran homelessness.

“I am proud to support this housing, transitional, and supportive service initiative that targets our most vulnerable Veterans,” said DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon, Presiding Officer for the DeKalb County Board of Commission.