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By Milton Kirby | DeKalb County, GA | July 29, 2025
60 Families to Transition from Motels to Fully Furnished Apartments with Wraparound Services
DeKalb County has taken a bold new step in tackling housing insecurity. On July 22, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an $8 million investment in Park 500, a transitional housing development in Stone Mountain that will provide 60 fully furnished, move-in-ready units for families facing homelessness.
The initiative marks the county’s first direct ownership of a housing property and signals a shift from temporary assistance to permanent, transformative support.
“Let me be clear, this is not temporary assistance. What we are creating is a long-term, transformational investment in housing,” said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.
Located near MARTA bus lines, Park 500’s one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will prioritize families currently living in extended-stay motels—many of whom are working parents with children but remain locked out of traditional housing.
“We are transitioning individuals from extended-stay motels into affordable housing and doing it with dignity,” said Cochran-Johnson. “Park 500 will provide job assistance, child care coordination, and case management.”
The complex will be managed in partnership with the Housing Authority of DeKalb County’s Residential Services Corporation, alongside other community-based organizations. The County’s Community Development team will oversee intake and placement services, underscoring the crucial role of the community in this initiative.
Commissioner Chakira Johnson, who represents District 4, where Park 500 is located, called the project “deeply personal.”
“Park 500 is more than housing, it’s healing,” said Johnson. “With wraparound services and community connection, we’re giving our unhoused neighbors the tools to thrive. I’m proud it starts here in District 4.”
Commissioner Ted Terry highlighted the long-term vision behind the county’s direct investment, instilling a sense of security and confidence in the initiative’s sustainability.
“This is a hand up, not just a handout,” said Terry. “Park 500 represents an ownership stake in a perpetual process to address housing insecurity in DeKalb.”
Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton also praised the program’s broader impact. “This project is about stability, safety, and restoring hope for families who’ve been left behind. Park 500 is one of many intentional steps toward equity, offering reassurance and hope for the initiative’s impact.
In addition to housing, residents of Park 500 will benefit from job assistance, social services, and coordinated child care. The units will be available to families referred through DeKalb’s Coordinated Entry system, a transparent and fair process that ensures those in most need are given the opportunity.
CEO Cochran-Johnson emphasized the significance of county ownership in the effort. “DeKalb County must be an owner,” she said. “This isn’t just a subsidy—we now hold an ownership interest and are building a reinvestment fund. Today is about leadership, legacy, and community.”
Any revenue generated by the project will be reinvested to expand access to affordable housing and sustain the support services attached to the program.
Park 500 represents a model that county officials hope to replicate in the future. For now, it offers a lifeline to dozens of families, bringing a vision of permanent housing and community-centered care into reality.
For more information, residents can contact DeKalb Community Development’s Coordinated Entry line at 404-687-3500.
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This is wonderful news for families posited on the margins in Dekalb. Hopefully this bold and compassionate move brings families closer to the center of the circle and truly addresses the myriads of challenges that often leave families in crushing socioeconomic positions. I’m hopeful Dekalb invests the necessary resources to maintain the property’s aesthetics and safety for residents.