The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an allocation for a feasibility study into creating a community land trust (CLT) for the county. The board accepted a recommendation from the chief housing officer and staff to proceed with a study and to fund it at $122,500.

Natalie Kaiser, representing House ATL and the DeKalb Housing Roundtable, described the CLT model during public comment: a nonprofit-held land trust that separates land ownership from homeownership to keep housing permanently affordable through resale restrictions and stewardship. Kaiser said a CLT can retain subsidies, support wealth-building for lower-income homeowners and potentially work with the county land bank to convert blighted parcels into permanently affordable homes.

Commissioners voiced support for the approach and for giving the chief housing officer authority to lead the study and use county procurement rules to select a consultant. Commissioner Long Spears moved to approve the allocation; the motion passed after discussion. Chief Housing Officer Andrew (Dr.) Ferguson provided a memorandum in advance and signaled support for the feasibility study and for using consultants to build capacity within the CHO office.

Next steps: the chief housing officer will prepare an RFP or procurement package under county purchasing rules to identify a consultant or team to lead the feasibility study, with the goal of returning final study recommendations to the board.