DeKalb outlines $12M affordable‑housing fund, down‑payment and rehab programs for residents

DeKalb County’s chief housing officer, Dr. Alan Ferguson, told District 4 residents the county has allocated $12 million to an affordable‑housing fund and is preparing multiple programs to expand housing access.

Ferguson said the county is developing a down‑payment assistance program that would provide eligible residents with up to $20,000 in aid to help purchase a home. He also described an owner‑occupied rehabilitation program, branded “Brighter Home DeKalb,” that the county hopes to launch later this year and that would provide up to $30,000 for critical repairs for eligible homeowners.

“The goal is to open up more housing opportunity no matter where you fall on the income spectrum,” Ferguson said, noting the county is coordinating with Decide the CAB (the county’s implementation partner) on program design and outreach.

Why it matters: Affordable‑housing advocates and homeowners can use both kinds of assistance — down‑payment support to buy homes and rehab funds to make existing homes safer and more habitable. Ferguson said recent information sessions generated feedback that the county is using to refine eligibility and program rules (for example, whether condos or certain ownership forms will qualify).

Officials said they will post a request for qualifications to build a roster of contractors eligible to work on the owner‑occupied rehab program, and that Decide the CAB will host additional community information sessions before any applications open. Ferguson urged interested residents and contractors to subscribe to county communications and to review posted information sessions on the county’s YouTube and program email addresses.

Other housing work: Ferguson also described a housing capacity‑building seed fund and a faith‑based development cohort to help houses of worship convert underused property into housing. He said the county is working toward the program launches this summer and into the third quarter, with more details and application windows to be announced.

Next steps: County staff will solicit further community input, issue RFQs for contractors, finalize program parameters and return to the Board with recommended application administrative rules and schedules.