Board approves DeKalb housing investment bond program and initial allocations

DeKalb County commissioners unanimously approved companion resolutions on July 14 to authorize the issuance of housing investment bonds (up to $25 million) and to implement an initial package of programs aimed at producing and preserving affordable housing.

The substitute resolution added a reporting requirement: the chief housing officer (or designee) will provide an annual programmatic and financial update on the Housing Investment Bond program to the board, with quarterly briefings expected. Director Dr. Ferguson (chief housing officer) described several initial initiatives the program would support, including a multifamily acquisition fund, gap financing, a down‑payment assistance program with inflation adjustments, homeowner rehabilitation, transitional housing and capacity‑building seed funds.

Commissioners praised the collaborative development of the proposals and emphasized the need to treat early efforts such as the Park 500 transitional housing site as pilots to be refined. Commissioner Long Spears and others asked for ongoing engagement with residents to ensure supportive services — transportation, childcare and job access — are integrated into program design. The board approved the substitute and companion implementation resolution without recorded opposition.

The action authorizes initial allocations from the county’s affordable‑housing fund to support operational capacity, systems development, technical and legal services and homelessness services to implement the new programs. Staff will return with program rules, allocations and quarterly updates as implementation proceeds.