Clayton commissioners approve HUD report as debate continues over $200,000 request for Calvary Refuge

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a resolution authorizing the county to submit its Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), after extended debate over whether the county or the Clayton County Housing Authority should provide emergency funding to Calvary Refuge.

The vote came after several commissioners discussed an earlier request that the Housing Authority provide $200,000 to Calvary Refuge, a local nonprofit that told the board it had operating funds through September. Commissioner Gail Hambrick asked the board to “ask the housing authority to pay $200,000” to Calvary Refuge; she later withdrew that motion, saying, “I withdraw the motion, for, asking of housing authority to pay the $200,000.”

The discussion centered on two possible ways to get money to Calvary Refuge: (1) through HUD-allocated grant funds the county had before the board, or (2) through the Housing Authority’s own reserves. County staff and the Housing Authority told the board they were discussing requests directly with Calvary Refuge.

Why this matters: HUD funds are federally administered and carry timing and reporting requirements; a decision to use those funds or to seek a Housing Authority contribution affects how quickly Calvary Refuge would receive money and whether the county must follow federal spending timelines.

Board members pressed for clarity on timing and eligibility. Miss Boswell, a county staff member working with housing/HUD matters, told the board that HUD funds would need to be spent by “December 2026.” Brenda Harrison, a member of the Clayton County Housing Authority board, told commissioners her board had invited Calvary Refuge to discuss the request and was reviewing financial documentation before making a decision.

Procedural steps and votes: Commissioner Hambrick initially moved that the board ask the Housing Authority to provide the $200,000; that motion was seconded but later withdrawn. Another motion to hold item 24 (the CAPER/HUD funding item) until the board’s September 16 meeting was moved and seconded; that motion failed after a recorded voice vote. Later in the meeting the board moved to approve Resolution 2025-186, authorizing submission of the CAPER to HUD; the motion passed.

Board members described different priorities. Some commissioners said they preferred to move federal HUD funds now to Calvary to ensure quick distribution; others urged giving the Housing Authority time to decide because it is a semi‑independent authority and the board has only an appointive relationship with its members.

Calvary Refuge representatives told the board the nonprofit had other donors and a grant writer in process but still needed operating funds to continue services. Housing Authority representatives said they were reviewing Calvary’s financial documents and expected to make a decision “early next week,” according to remarks to the board.

What happens next: Because the board approved Resolution 2025-186, the county’s CAPER will be submitted to HUD and, if the board chooses later, those HUD resources can be used for local homelessness services within HUD rules and deadlines. If the Housing Authority decides to provide funds, that would be a separate action by the Housing Authority.

The board did not adopt any binding directive forcing the Housing Authority to pay; the only formal county actions recorded were the withdrawal of the motion asking the Housing Authority to pay and the approval of Resolution 2025-186 to submit the CAPER to HUD.

Ending: Commissioners said staff will continue coordinating with Calvary Refuge and the Housing Authority and will return to the board as needed. The board did not set a county-directed revenue transfer to Calvary Refuge at the meeting.