Ahead of crucial 2026 budget vote this morning
Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington says when the Commission adopts the 2026 Fiscal Year budget Wednesday it will include as much as $2.1 million to support expanded permanent supportive housing and wraparound services. Arrington says the revelation comes amid concerns raised by the City of Atlanta that the County’s proposed budget did not fully cover a previously discussed housing expansion.
Under the County’s original budget proposal, Fulton County was already funding 300 units of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. The City of Atlanta later sought to add 250 additional units for 2026. That funding was not included in the County’s initial budget draft, prompting public concern from City leaders that the County was falling short of a broader agreement to serve more families in need.
Ahead of Wednesday’s budget vote, Commissioner Arrington, who has fought for the funding, and also the restoration of funds for veterans services, says the county’s leadership worked with the county manager to locate the additional funds and close the gap.
“We worked very hard to find the money for this program for permanent supportive housing and to make sure not only that we honored our commitment to the City of Atlanta, but that we honor the underserved communities, the unhoused and homeless communities,” said Arrington.
Arrington added: “We have to take care of the least of these, especially with what’s going on right now, with the Trump administration cutting services at every corner and turn. It’s important that Fulton County try to fill some of the gaps left by all of the cuts in federal funding.”
The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, at which commissioners are expected to approve the measure as part of the County’s overall budget. This year’s spending plan, including subsidiary funds and the General Fund, totals more than $1 billion dollars.
