DeKalb approves $5 million ERA2 allocation to Housing Authority for 60-unit transitional housing at Park 500

DeKalb County commissioners voted to allocate $5 million in ERA2 federal funds to the DeKalb County Housing Authority to purchase and rehabilitate 60 furnished housing units at Park 500 as transitional housing for people exiting homelessness and crisis.

The vote, taken at the July 22 business meeting, funds part of an $8 million package the county will invest in the project; commissioners said the county will hold an ownership interest for the life of the project and that the housing authority will provide wraparound services for up to 10 years. Commissioner Nicole Messiah moved to approve the substitute motion and Commissioner Mereda Davis-Todd Terry seconded; the board approved the item at the meeting.

County officials said the acquisition covers 60 units broken down as 36 two-bedroom/ two-bath units, 16 three-bedroom/three-bath units and eight one-bedroom/one-bath units. The housing authority will also provide 25 project-based Housing Choice Vouchers tied to the development.

“[T]his project . . . allows us to provide a total with this item of 60 units,” said Zach Williams, Chief Executive Officer, during the discussion, adding that the county expects to move residents in on a rapid timetable: "I'd like to see, by Christmas, quite frankly, us occupying these residents." Pete Walker, representing the housing authority, described the services the authority will provide, saying the authority has “set aside $180,000 a year to fund up to 3 positions for this particular service to provide ongoing services for the entire 10 year period.”

Administration and housing staff said the county’s ownership interest and the vouchers are designed so the housing integrates residents into the broader community rather than separating assisted households into visibly distinct developments. Officials also said the county expects to use any operational cash flow or refinancing proceeds attributable to the county’s ownership share to support future housing programs or a housing assistance fund.

Why this matters: Commissioners and county staff framed the project as an example of using federal emergency rental assistance (ERA2) to secure permanent housing capacity and supportive services instead of short-term shelter-only solutions. The project expands the county’s portfolio of units dedicated to households leaving crisis situations and gives the county a long-term stake in operating and oversight.

What happens next: County staff will finalize purchase and contract documents and the housing authority will deliver a detailed wraparound-services plan as part of the award’s implementation. Commissioners asked that the administration provide regular reports on occupancy, service metrics and any proceeds that accrue to the county.

Speakers quoted above and in the meeting materials said they expect move-ins to begin within months if closing and rehab proceed on schedule.