DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County is taking proactive steps to ensure housing and food security as federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program faces potential suspension.
The disruption of SNAP could affecting more than 54,000 households in DeKalb County, about 127,000 residents, who receive $20.8 million in SNAP benefits monthly.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said she urged federal action to prevent the potential suspension of SNAP funding on Nov. 1, which supports both families and local businesses.
“Food insecurity is one of the most pressing issues facing our communities,” Cochran-Johnson said. “While we remain hopeful that Congress will act swiftly to restore program funding, we are preparing for every scenario to ensure DeKalb families have access to the resources they need. We have called on Washington to take immediate action to prevent any disruption in the delivery of critical nutrition assistance to Georgia families.”
DeKalb County said it is coordinating with local organizations — including DeKalb County Schools and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta — to maintain essential services during this period of uncertainty.
Efforts include ensuring students continue to receive nutritious meals and providing water and utility assistance to families in need:
- School meals: DeKalb County is working closely with the school district to ensure that students who rely on federal assistance programs continue receiving nutritious meals. The County is also exploring opportunities to eliminate existing student meal balances so that no child goes hungry.
- Support: The county will announce comprehensive resource guide, detailing available food pantries, meal programs and emergency support services on Nov. 5. Residents can get a list of resources through the DeKalb County Human Resources Department website.
- Housing: The Housing Authority of DeKalb County has confirmed that it expects to receive full funding for Housing Choice Voucher payments for November 2025, providing $5.2 million in support for nearly 6,000 families.
- Water: People experiencing difficulty paying utilities because of underemployment during the federal shutdown should contact the county’s customer care representative at 404-378-4475 to stop payments. People can also contact the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, which is providing assistance through the DeKalb Water Rate Assistance Program. Learn more at the program’s website.
The county is committed to supporting its residents during this uncertain time, with plans to expand partnerships and community food distributions.
“DeKalb County is committed to doing everything within our power to support families, children, seniors, and all of our residents in need,” Cochran-Johnson said.
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