February 2026 Edition - Chakira’s Corner Newsletter
Housing, Stability & Opportunity in DeKalb County
Housing continues to be one of the most important — and most complex — issues facing DeKalb County today. Whether it’s rising rents, concerns about displacement, or helping residents achieve homeownership, the conversation around housing touches nearly every family in some way.
That’s why this month’s Chakira’s Corner episode focused entirely on housing. I sat down with DeKalb County’s newly appointed Chief Housing Officer, Dr. Alan Ferguson, to talk about where we are, what we’re hearing from residents, and what DeKalb County is actively doing to create more housing stability and opportunity.
Why Housing Has Become a Top Priority
Across the Board of Commissioners, housing has become a shared focus because the need is so evident. Our offices receive calls and emails every week from residents worried about rent increases, housing quality, or the possibility of losing their home.
We also hear from residents concerned about the growing unhoused population and how to balance compassion, safety, and legal rights. These are not simple issues — they are deeply human ones.
DeKalb County traditionally focuses on core services like roads, drainage, budgets, and taxes. Our work in housing reflects a quality-of-life commitment to our residents and a recognition that stable housing supports strong communities.
Meet Dr. Alan Ferguson: Housing Work with a Personal Connection
Dr. Ferguson’s commitment to housing is rooted in his South DeKalb upbringing, where he saw how neighborhood change can impact families and community stability.
A Morehouse College graduate, he began his career in banking before moving into housing and community development work with organizations like Fannie Mae and in government. Now serving as DeKalb County’s Chief Housing Officer, he brings both financial expertise and a personal understanding of the communities he serves. As he shared on the podcast, it’s meaningful to work in the same county that shaped his journey — and we’re glad to have that dedication focused on DeKalb.
What the Chief Housing Officer’s Role Actually Does
Dr. Ferguson’s office focuses on:
✔️ Expanding housing options
✔️ Preserving affordable housing
✔️ Supporting neighborhood stability
✔️ Creating policy and strategy
✔️ Connecting residents to the right resources
What the office does notdo is manage individual leases, evictions, or housing authority waitlists. Instead, the goal is to make sure residents are connected to agencies and partners who can help and that those partners have the tools to serve our community effectively.
If You’re Facing Housing Instability
One of the most important takeaways from this episode:
Do not wait to seek help.
If you’ve missed a paycheck, are behind on rent, or fear losing your housing, reach out immediately.
Resources mentioned include:
📞 Call 211 for housing assistance referrals
🌐 ARCHI (Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement) archicollaborative.org
Many of these resources are also included in the County’s housing resource guide. The earlier you reach out, the more options may be available. DeKalb Human Resources offers a searchable database of organizations that provide additional resources through its ResourcesInDeKalb.com webpage.
Growth Without Displacement
Development conversations can create anxiety, especially in built-out areas like District 4. Much of what we see now is infill development or redevelopment of underperforming properties.
Our goal is to balance:
Neighborhood character
Housing availability
Economic growth
Access to services like grocery stores and retail
Anti-displacement protections
Tools like owner-occupied rehab programs help legacy residents stay in their homes and age in place. We are also asking developers to include attainable housing when seeking county support.
The Zoning Rewrite: A Big Opportunity
DeKalb County has begun a comprehensive zoning rewrite — a deliberate, community-informed process expected to take 18–24 months.
This work allows us to:
Introduce “missing middle” housing
Create thoughtful transitions between housing types
Preserve neighborhood character
Plan for future housing needs
Community input will be a key part of shaping these updates.
Early Wins & What’s Ahead
Several important steps are already underway:
✔️ A countywide housing strategy and implementation plan
✔️ Creation of DeKalb’s first Affordable Housing Fund
✔️ Upcoming RFP for a Community Land Trust feasibility study
✔️ Major participation in the NACA homeownership event
✔️ Park 500 — 50 units now filled with wraparound services, helping move residents from extended-stay hotels into stable housing
These are meaningful steps, and more work is coming in 2026.
Watch the Full Conversation
This episode dives deeper into housing, stability, and opportunity in DeKalb County.
👉 Watch on YouTube
👉 Subscribe and click the bell for notifications
👉 Share with neighbors who may find it helpful
Thank you for staying engaged and for being part of the conversation. Housing is complex, but we are listening, collaborating, and working toward real solutions.
In service,
A Quick Personal Note
I was recently honored to be elected by my colleagues as Presiding Officer of the Board of Commissioners, and to serve alongside our newly elected Deputy Presiding Officer, Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton as part of the Board’s leadership team.
This role involves agenda-setting and coordination between commissioners and the CEO’s office. It also comes with added responsibility — especially during situations like our recent winter weather response.
I’m grateful for the trust placed in me and for the collaborative leadership of our Deputy Presiding Officer and fellow commissioners. Together, we are committed to helping our Board operate efficiently and collaboratively as we tackle the big issues ahead.
January Community Connection Breakfast Rescheduled for February
Due to winter weather conditions our January Community Connection breakfast meeting was postponed.
Please save the new date- Saturday, February 28th- same time, same place. We hope to see you then!
