Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Town Hall on Homelessness Brings Community Together for Action

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In recognition of World Homeless Day, Commissioner Ted Terry joined community leaders, advocates, and local organizations for Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness, an event hosted by the DeKalb County Behavioral Health Coalition focused on collaboration, innovation, and action to address the growing challenges faced by DeKalb’s unhoused and housing-insecure residents.

The town hall brought together more than 40 participants, including local officials, service providers, and nonprofit leaders, to discuss strategies for reducing homelessness and strengthening support services. Panelists, including Commissioner Ted Terry from DeKalb County Super District 6, Dr. Alan Ferguson, Sr., DeKalb County Chief of Housing, Joy Monroe from the Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center, Greg White from A Home For Everyone, and Lisa Regan from St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, shared lessons from a recent learning exchange in San Antonio, Texas, where DeKalb representatives observed successful community-based approaches to housing and behavioral health integration.

Attendees also received updates on the development of the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan, a countywide initiative led by the Behavioral Health Coalition. Commissioner Terry emphasized the importance of local leadership and interagency cooperation in creating more equitable, long-term housing solutions.

This discussion was a reminder that county agencies, nonprofits, and community advocates must be aligned towards a shared goal for housing stability and dignity for county residents.

For more information on DeKalb County’s Unhoused Support and Services Plan and future community engagement opportunities, visit Engage DeKalb.

DeKalb Behavioral Health Coalition to Host Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness 

Honoring World Homeless Day and providing the public an opportunity to provide their input on the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan.

DEKALB COUNTY – On October 11, 2025, the DeKalb County Behavioral Health Coalition will host Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness at 178 Sams St, Decatur, GA 30030 offering the public an opportunity to share their voice during the development of the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan, a plan being developed through a collaborative effort among DeKalb County nonprofit organizations, county agencies, and community members.

Funding for the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan was approved in 2024 by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.This nine-month initiative will conclude in January 2026 with the presentation of a comprehensive plan to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. The plan will include recommendations for strengthening the County’s support systems and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness will feature a presentation highlighting the key recommendation areas currently in development. Resident input and feedback are encouraged.

“I was proud the Board of Commissioners took a meaningful step forward by approving funding to support this vital plan,” said DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry, who will be present on the program’s panel. “The experience of being unhoused varies greatly. It includes working community members, families living in extended-stay motels, and seniors who cannot afford housing throughout an entire month. This plan will provide DeKalb County with the tools to better understand where we stand today and how we can pursue solutions that reflect the diverse realities of our residents. By centering the voices and needs of our community, we can build a future where every DeKalb resident has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.”

The program will also include a presentation by DeKalb’s Texas Delegation Trip, a delegation of attendees from DeKalb County, Georgia, who traveled to Texas in July, visiting San Antonio and Houston to explore innovative approaches to homelessness, and a panel discussion with DeKalb County leaders. The DeKalb Texas Delegation Trip Presentation will outline the best practice findings and key learnings from the trip while the panel discussion will provide residents an opportunity to ask questions on the topic overall.

Those interested in attending can RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/g/GcmsU78Kdi

Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030 (Multipurpose Room A1201)