DeKalb County has expanded its efforts to support unhoused residents with the opening of the DeKalb Day Center, a new resource hub designed to connect individuals and families with the services they need to move toward stability, independence, and long-term success.
Located on the campus of New Life Community Alliance in South DeKalb, the center officially opened on June 15 through a partnership between DeKalb County and New Life Community Alliance. The facility will serve as a centralized location where residents can access housing assistance, workforce development programs, behavioral health services, healthcare referrals, educational resources, and other essential support services.
Speaking at the opening, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson emphasized the importance of addressing the complex challenges facing the unhoused community through coordinated, compassionate solutions.
“Homelessness is a complex issue, and there is no single solution,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “Our goal is not simply to respond to immediate needs, but to help individuals move from crisis to stability and ultimately self-sufficiency.”
The DeKalb Day Center is designed to provide wraparound services tailored to individual needs. Participants will have access to case management, housing navigation, employment assistance, counseling, educational and GED support, meals, hygiene services, clothing assistance, technology resources, and healthcare referrals. Behavioral health services will be provided through Claratel Behavioral Health, while employment support will be available through WorkSource DeKalb.
Unlike traditional service models that often require individuals to navigate multiple organizations independently, the Day Center brings a variety of providers together under one roof. This coordinated approach is intended to reduce barriers to access, improve service delivery, and create a more seamless path toward housing and stability.
County leaders noted that the center represents another step in DeKalb County’s broader strategy to address the growing challenges facing unhoused residents. Last year, the county opened its first 400-bed facility for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. The Day Center builds on those efforts by expanding access to supportive services that address both immediate needs and long-term outcomes.
“As we see an increase in housing insecurity across DeKalb County, Metro Atlanta, and the nation, we must do more,” CEO Cochran-Johnson said. “The Day Center reflects our belief that every resident deserves dignity, support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
The center will launch through a phased implementation process, allowing staff and community partners to establish service delivery systems while gradually expanding capacity and programming. County officials will continue evaluating opportunities to enhance services and strengthen the continuum of care for residents in need.
Michael Bryant, CEO of New Life Community Alliance, said the partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when government, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and community partners work together around a shared mission.
“Every individual deserves the opportunity to move beyond crisis and toward stability,” Bryant said. “By working together, we can remove barriers, provide meaningful support, and help people take the next steps toward housing, employment, and long-term independence.”
As the DeKalb Day Center begins serving residents, county leaders say the facility will play a critical role in connecting people with resources, restoring hope, and creating pathways toward a brighter future.
For more information, please contact New Life Community Alliance at (404) 687-4033 or visit www.nlca-atl.org.
