Community Development
The DeKalb County Community Development Department works to create viable urban communities. We achieve this through partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, and residents.
Using federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we focus on three main goals:
- Affordable Housing – Provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents.
- Community Improvement – Enhance public facilities and services to create suitable living environments.
- Economic Growth – Expand job opportunities and revitalize economically challenged areas.
Leadership
Director Allen Mitchell
Allen Mitchell, has served as the Director of Community Development Department for DeKalb County since January 2016 and the Interim Director for Human Services up until October 2017. Prior to his promotion to this position, he served as the Assistant Director for DeKalb’s Human and Community Development for over ten years. He joined DeKalb County in 2005.
His previous executive experiences included running the South DeKalb Business Incubator and Project Executive for the IBM Corporation, where he retired after 33 years of service in 2002.
Additionally, Mr. Mitchell is a U.S. Army Veteran, graduating from Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia as a Second Lieutenant in 1971. His highest rank obtained was Captain, where he was the Commander of a U.S Army Reserve “Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH Unit)” in Bronx, New York.
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Virginia State University, and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Scranton.
As the Director of the Community Development, he oversees the use of funds allocated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help develop viable urban communities within DeKalb County, principally benefiting low to moderate income persons.
Community Development also provides the resources for decent and affordable housing, improvement and expansion of community facilities and infrastructure, and creation of new job opportunities. Additionally, Federal stimulus funds, Neighborhood Stabilization Programs (NSP), are used to help stabilize neighborhoods impacted by the foreclosure/mortgage crisis. He recently completed the construction of three new Senior Centers in DeKalb County.
Mr. Mitchell helped to create the non-profit, “DeKalb For Seniors, Inc. and he also helped design, build, and obtain the Federal funds to pay for the Lou Walker Senior Center in his role as Assistant Director for the DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department.
Lastly, Mr. Mitchell’s Community Development Department recently received recognition from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for effectively ending homelessness amongst DeKalb County Veterans – obtaining a Functional Zero designation.
Contact Information
Main Office:
Phone: 404-371-2727
Email: 311CCC@dekalbcountyga.gov
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Emergency Homelessness Services:
DeKalb Coordinated Entry: 404-687-3500
Continuum of Care (CoC): dekalbcoc@dekalbcountyga.gov
Quick Reference
Residents:
- Housing Assistance : 404-687-3500
- Home repairs: Apply for CARES or Special Purpose programs
- Homeless Services Coordinated Entry: 404-687-3500
- HUD Exchange
Businesses:
- Financing: Apply for Small Business Loan Program
- Business growth: Join Business Growth Accelerator
- Small Business Loans
Service Providers:
- Join CoC network: Attend monthly meetings 3rd Wednesday every month at 10:00 AM. For location details, more information, or to attend, contact the DeKalb Community Development Department:
Email: dekalbcoc@dekalbcountyga.gov
Phone: 404-371-2727
Mission
- Develop viable urban communities that principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons.
- Work collaboratively with non-profit agencies, governmental entities at all levels, the business community, the faith-based community, residents and schools.
Prioritized Long Term Objective
GOAL I: To provide decent affordable housing for low to moderate- income persons residing in DeKalb County.
GOAL II: To provide a suitable living environment, public facilities, infrastructure, and expanded community services, principally benefiting low to-moderate income persons.
GOAL III: To expand economic opportunities, increase and retain new and existing jobs, and revitalize economically depressed area that principally serve low to moderate-income areas
Success Story
The East Central DeKalb Community & Senior Center is a valued community resource made possible through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. This investment supports a welcoming space where residents can access programs, services, and activities that strengthen community connections and enhance quality of life for seniors and families in East Central DeKalb.
The Center is a 24,000-square-foot, ADA-compliant facility offering fitness, recreation, and community spaces, including a multipurpose hall, classrooms, and a 30’ x 75’ saltwater lap pool that supports senior water-fitness programs focused on mobility and balance.
For more information, visit:
East Central Dekalb Community & Senior Center
4885 Elam Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Phone: 770-322-2970
