DEKALB COUNTY, GA – Help is on the way for DeKalb County residents struggling to pay their rent and utilities amid the housing crisis in metro Atlanta. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s $21 million plan to assist residents was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 13.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a housing affordability crisis in our county,” said CEO Thurmond. “This multi-million dollar investment will protect families from eviction from their rental homes and apartments.”

The DeKalb County Community Care Initiative will distribute $13 million to 11 nonprofit organizations to provide rental and utility assistance, job placement, training, mental health services, educational opportunities, food, child care and legal services.

The initiative is a partnership between DeKalb County Community Development’s Coordinated Entry and several experienced nonprofit organizations in collaboration with the HUD-approved HOME-ARP program, also administered by DeKalb County Community Development, which has an additional $7.8 million in funding.

Through the DeKalb County Community Care Initiative, payments for rent and utilities are provided by various DeKalb County nonprofit organizations. In addition, case management is provided to program participants to facilitate housing stability. As part of case management, participants are assessed and, if eligible, referred to additional supportive services available through HOME-ARP.

Participating nonprofit partners (indicating grant amounts and services they provide) include:

• • New Life Community Ministries, $2.9 million, rent and utilities
  • Urban League of Greater Atlanta, $2.9 million, rent and utilities
  • Latin American Association, $2 million, rent and utilities
  • DeKalb County Government, $300,000, Coordinated Entry Services
  • Atlanta Legal Aid Society, $600,000, housing stability assistance
  • Jewish Family Career Services of Atlanta, $1 million, rent and utilities
  • New American Pathways, $1.04 million, rent and utilities,
  • Africa’s Children Fund, $1 million, rent and utilities
  • Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, $1 million, rent and utilities
  • DeKalb Pro Bono, $200,000, Housing Stability Services
  • Paws Between Homes, $60,000, housing stability services

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