GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Money from an $8.9 million federal grant will help neighbors with rent, a down payment or meals.
Gwinnett County commissioners approved the plan.
The money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will go toward 54 separate projects. The county calls it the 2026 Action Plan.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
It covers down payment help for 20 first-time buyers at $10,000 each, and rental assistance meant to keep more than 300 households from ever reaching eviction.
“It’s not just talking points,” he said. “It’s about putting the money where we can to have the biggest impact.”
“For a lot of the residents who will be receiving services or housing through these processes, every little bit helps,” said Matt Elder, deputy director of Gwinnett County Planning and Development.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Flock cameras vandalized across north Georgia as backlash to technology grows
- Teen girl hospitalized after being hit in the head with a golf club
- Lululemon closes Atlanta store ‘after thoughtful consideration’
In addition to the assistance with rent and down payments, the grant will pay for more than 90 new affordable housing units built through Gwinnett Housing Corporation and Habitat for Humanity.
“It’s going to be a mix of single family detached and some different kind of housing types that we haven’t seen a ton of before,” he said.
On the food side, $700,000 buys Norcross Meals on Wheels a new building. Elder said the expansion adds 125,000 meals a year and widens the area the group serves.
Another $1.5 million goes toward building a food pantry at Hamilton Mill.
Gwinnett leaders say they will sign contracts and draw designs as soon as the federal money arrives.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
