Dekalb County's Rental Assistance

The DeKalb County Integrated Community Care Initiative was created to provide housing stability for residents facing financial hardships exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Program Overview

The program officially launched on December 4, 2024, by CEO Michael Thurmond. It is designed to address the ongoing housing affordability crisis in DeKalb County by offering a two-pronged approach:

1. Providing housing for homeless individuals.
2. Offering rental and utility assistance to those at risk of eviction.

Funding Distribution

$13 million will be allocated to nine nonprofit organizations that are already engaged in providing essential services related to housing assistance. 

• New Life Community Ministries: $2.8 million
• Urban League of Greater Atlanta: $2.8 million
• Latin American Association: $2.3 million
• New American Pathways: $1 million
• Jewish Family Career Services of Atlanta: $1 million
• Africa’s Children Fund: $1 million
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul: $1 million
• Atlanta Legal Aid Society (for legal services related to evictions): $600,000
• DeKalb Pro Bono (for legal services related to evictions): $200,000

Eligibility

To qualify for assistance under this program, households must meet specific criteria:

1. Financial Hardship: At least one member of the household must have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a significant reduction in income due to the pandemic.
2. Risk of Homelessness: Households must demonstrate either current homelessness or a risk thereof, which can include overdue rent or utility notices and unsafe living conditions.
3. Income Requirements: Households must be classified as low-income according to HUD’s income limits for 2024, with priority given to those earning less than 50% of the area median income.

Additionally, participants will receive case management services aimed at facilitating long-term housing stability.

Application

This initiative is set to expire on June 30, 2025.

Residents interested in applying for assistance can contact the DeKalb Integrated Community Care Initiative hotline at 404-371-NEED (6333). The hotline operates Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM and applicants are encouraged to confirm their eligibility before applying.

Author: Ericka Cameron-Carr