Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to Host Clergy Town Hall Addressing DeKalb’s Housing Crisis

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison M. Slocum
District Manager
470-889-4213

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2022

Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to Host Clergy Town Hall Addressing DeKalb’s Housing Crisis
Information on how churches can leverage resources to construct affordable, single family and senior housing to be discussed

DECATUR, GA. – District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will host a special town hall to address the state of housing in DeKalb County amid economic and industry challenges and the hardships many face due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how the church can play a role in the development of affordable housing.

“The DeKalb County Housing Crisis: The Role of the Church in the Development of Affordable Housing” town hall will be held Thursday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m., and will feature county housing experts and local clergy who have successfully developed affordable housing projects.

“My first town hall focused specifically on creating awareness of the housing crisis and the overwhelming need for affordable housing,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “This second conversation will focus on enlisting partners to assist in solving the problem. Technically, DeKalb County is not in the business of real estate, so it is important we are strategic in enlisting partners like our local churches and builders to help us meet the enormous need for housing.”

The conversation will address the steps churches can take to develop affordable housing and mixed-use developments, as well as shed light on today’s housing inventory shortage, highlight current market trends and address what lies ahead in the future of housing.

Co-moderated by Commissioner Cochran-Johnson and Pastor Lee May, former interim DeKalb County CEO and current pastor at Transforming Faith Church, the panel of experts will include:

  • Chianti Harris, staff pastor of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church
  • Michael German, former Georgia field office director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Allen Mitchell, director of DeKalb County Community Development
  • John Corcoran, president of Housing Development Corporation
  • Dexter Johnson, pastor of Higher Ground Empowerment Center

“The church has traditionally been a part of not only saving souls, but developing communities,” said Pastor Lee May. “Through focused ministry, the church can become a center of economic wealth, with great power to bring about change and meet the needs of the community.”

“The DeKalb County Housing Crisis: The Role of the Church in the Development of Affordable Housing” town hall is free and open to all DeKalb residents. Interested individuals should register at https://bit.ly/3sM1Wj9.

For media coverage or to schedule an interview with Commissioner Cochran-Johnson and Pastor Lee May, email [email protected] or call 470-889-4213.

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