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DeKalb County's Transitional Housing Program Gives Families a Fresh Start This Christmas

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/2 .. gives-families-a-fresh-start-this-christmas.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, December 26th 2025 at 15:05 GMT by CBS News

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DeKalb County’s Transitional Housing Program Gives Families a Fresh Start This Christmas

The holiday season has long been a time of hope and renewal, and in DeKalb County this year the promise of a new home is more tangible than ever. According to a CBS Atlanta news story published on December 1, 2023, the county’s Transitional Housing Program has helped dozens of families secure stable, long‑term housing just in time for Christmas. By pairing temporary shelter with comprehensive support services, the program is turning the tide for families that were once on the brink of homelessness.

A Mission‑Driven Approach to Housing Stability

The Transitional Housing Program is run by DeKalb County’s Department of Housing and Redevelopment (DHR). The program’s stated mission is “to provide families with a safe, secure, and supportive environment that will help them achieve permanent housing and self‑sufficiency.” As the CBS article explains, transitional housing is a short‑term, case‑management‑based approach that typically spans two to three years. During that time, residents receive not only a place to stay but also a suite of services designed to address the root causes of their housing instability.

In the CBS piece, a link directs readers to the DHR’s official page for the program. The page outlines the eligibility criteria: families must have a demonstrated need for housing, no prior history of eviction or rental default, and must be willing to participate in the program’s support services. The application process requires a thorough assessment of the family’s income, assets, and overall needs.

Services That Go Beyond a Roof

The article emphasizes that the real power of the program lies in its holistic services. Participants are paired with a case manager who coordinates:

• Financial Counseling – Teaching budgeting skills and helping families create a path toward savings.
• Job Training and Employment Support – Partnering with local businesses and workforce development agencies to secure stable employment.
• Childcare and Education Assistance – Connecting parents with resources that allow children to attend school without disruption.
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment – Providing access to counseling and, where necessary, treatment for addiction.
• Legal Assistance – Helping families navigate any legal obstacles that might impede their path to permanent housing.

One quote from the article—taken from a county official—underscores this point: “Transitional housing is not just about a place to live; it’s about giving families the tools they need to build a future.” The official notes that over 80 % of program graduates go on to secure permanent housing within a year of leaving transitional units.

A Story of Renewal

At the heart of the CBS article is the story of the Martinez family, who, after years of couch‑surfing and short‑term shelter stays, finally received a fully furnished, one‑bedroom apartment this Christmas. The piece details how the family—parents Javier and Maria and their three children—arrived in DeKalb County on a “night of desperation.” A link inside the article leads to an interview with the Martinez family, where they reflect on the program’s impact: “We didn’t just get a house; we got a chance to breathe, to sleep through the night, to plan for the next day.”

The program’s support team helped Javier obtain a certification in automotive repair, while Maria enrolled in a local community college’s early childhood education program. Their children received tutoring and extra‑curricular support, and the family was guided to apply for a rental voucher that eventually covered the majority of their monthly housing cost.

Funding and Partnerships

The CBS article also shines a light on how the program is financed. It cites a blend of federal, state, and local funding sources. Federal dollars come primarily from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) program, while state funds are allocated through Georgia’s Housing and Community Development Department. Locally, DeKalb County earmarks a portion of its property tax revenues to maintain and expand transitional units. A note in the article points to a county budget report that highlights a 12 % increase in the housing department’s budget for 2023, earmarked specifically for transitional housing expansion.

In addition to governmental funding, the program benefits from partnerships with non‑profit organizations such as the DeKalb Community Action Agency, which provides supplemental food and clothing assistance, and the Georgia Housing Coalition, which offers advocacy and policy guidance.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact

The CBS piece ends on an optimistic note, pointing out that the county plans to double the number of transitional housing units by 2025. A link leads to a county press release announcing a new funding initiative that will allow the construction of two additional multi‑family units on city-owned land. The article quotes the county’s Housing Director, stating, “We’re not just building houses; we’re building futures.”

The program’s data also suggest that a “Housing First” approach—prioritizing immediate housing without preconditions—could further accelerate the transition to permanency. The county is exploring pilot projects that would allow certain high‑risk families to bypass some of the longer case‑management phases, thereby speeding up access to stable housing.

Why the Story Matters

In a time when many families face rising rents, stagnating wages, and economic uncertainty, DeKalb County’s Transitional Housing Program demonstrates that a coordinated, compassionate approach can make a measurable difference. By marrying affordable housing with comprehensive support services, the program is turning temporary relief into permanent stability. As the CBS article notes, this Christmas, the Martinez family, along with many others, can look forward to a fresh start in a new home—a testament to what community investment and collaborative policy can achieve.

Whether you are a policy maker, a community advocate, or simply a resident of DeKalb County, the program’s success offers a powerful example of how targeted, evidence‑based interventions can transform lives. The holiday season may have reminded us of the joy that comes with a roof over one’s head, but it also serves as a call to action: to expand and strengthen programs that turn hope into reality for families across the county.