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DeKalb committee defers vote on $570,000 Frontline shelter contract after operational questions
Summary
Commissioners deferred action for two weeks on a proposed one-year, $570,000 contract with Frontline to provide emergency temporary housing (400+ beds) and supportive-housing transitions, citing unanswered questions about costs, partner roles and audit details.
DeKalb County's PECS committee deferred a proposed one-year contract with Frontline Response that would have provided emergency temporary shelter and transitional services, saying commissioners need more operational and budget details.
Director Mitchell outlined the proposal as a one-year contract not to exceed $570,000 to support emergency temporary housing and transition services that would preserve roughly 400 shelter beds across three locations and provide case management, transportation and meal service. "We have over 600 individuals on our waiting list," Mitchell said, framing the county's demand for shelter capacity.
Presenters described three locations tied to the proposal: Frontline's facility, Peace Baptist Church (Covington Highway) as a warming center, and the Golden Door site, where a developer is renovating a building that the presenters said will offer roughly 200 permanent supportive housing units by 2026. Frontline's CEO, Terry Tucker, and staff said the program would operate on a low-barrier, housing-first principle: "You can show up as you are," Tucker said, adding that behavioral-health partners such as MercyCare, Grady and Clarity are existing partners that Frontline could engage on-site.
Commissioners probed several details: whether Golden Door units are county-controlled or privately owned and how continuing occupancy costs (rent, vouchers or sponsorship) would be paid; bathroom and shower capacity at Frontline's Gresham facility; which behavioral-health provider will be on-site; and the apparent mismatch between a large service scope and the $570,000 contract amount. Several commissioners asked for estimates of how often external partners (showers, laundry and hygiene operations) would be needed throughout 2026 and for a fuller forecast of operational days and costs.
After the discussion, Commissioner (2) moved to defer item 1657 for two weeks so staff, Frontline and county attorneys can provide more detail on the contract, partner commitments and pending audits. The motion passed by voice vote.
