What the DeKalb County Housing Authority does

The DeKalb County Housing Authority (DCHA) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia. It administers federally funded rental information programs, maintains public housing properties, and helps people find affordable housing options. The Authority is separate from the City of Atlanta Housing Authority, which serves Atlanta proper — if you live in DeKalb County but outside Atlanta's city limits, DCHA is the agency you deal with.

DCHA operates several programs: public housing (where the Authority owns the building), Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly Section 8, where you rent from a private landlord and the voucher covers part of the rent), and emergency information programs. The Authority also maintains a waitlist for these programs, which can be years long depending on demand in your area.

The Authority's main office is located in Decatur. Most transactions — explore for programs, reporting maintenance issues, paying rent if you live in DCHA public housing — happen through their office, by phone, or online through their portal.

Key Takeaways

  • DeKalb County Housing Authority serves unincorporated DeKalb County only; Atlanta residents use the City of Atlanta Housing Authority instead.
  • DCHA manages public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and emergency rental information, each with separate waitlists and different rules.
  • Waitlists for DCHA programs are typically years long and may be closed to new applicants depending on current demand.
  • You can contact DCHA through their main office in Decatur, by phone, or through their online resident portal for rent payment and maintenance requests.
  • If you receive a voucher, you choose your own rental property and landlord, but the property must pass DCHA inspection and meet rent limits.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

DCHA operates two main rental programs, and they work very differently. In public housing, DCHA owns the building and you rent directly from the Authority. You pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of what you earn), and DCHA handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing properties in DeKalb County include scattered-site homes and apartment complexes.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, you find your own rental property on the private market, and the voucher pays a portion of the rent to your landlord. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, the property must pass a DCHA inspection, and the rent cannot exceed the program's payment standard for your area. Vouchers give you more choice in where you live, but finding a landlord willing to accept one can be harder than getting into public housing.

Both programs have separate waitlists. DCHA may open and close these waitlists depending on funding and demand. You can contact DCHA to ask whether each waitlist is currently open.

How to contact DeKalb County Housing Authority

DCHA's main office is at 2851 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30034. You can reach them by phone at (404) 286-7600 during business hours. The Authority also maintains an online resident portal where current residents can pay rent, request maintenance, and view lease documents.

If you are interested in public housing or a voucher, you will need to visit the office or call to ask about waitlist status and what documents to bring. DCHA staff can tell you whether the program you want is currently accepting new names on the waitlist. Waitlist applications are typically done in person or by mail, not online.

For maintenance emergencies in public housing — no heat, no water, gas leak — call the emergency maintenance line. DCHA's website lists the current emergency number. Non-emergency repairs can be reported through the resident portal or by calling the main office during business hours.

Income limits and rent calculation

DCHA programs have income limits based on the area median income for the Atlanta region. These limits change yearly and vary by household size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's limit. You must fall below the limit to be considered for either public housing or a voucher.

In public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent set by DCHA (usually around $50 to $75 per month). If your income changes, you report it to DCHA and your rent adjusts. In voucher programs, you pay the difference between the voucher payment standard and the actual rent, so your share depends on both your income and the rent the landlord charges.

DCHA will ask for proof of income when you explore and at your annual recertification. Acceptable documents include recent pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security statements, or unemployment benefits letters. If you are self-employed or have irregular income, bring documentation for the past two years.

Waitlist status and how long it takes

DCHA maintains separate waitlists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Both waitlists are typically very long — in some cases, years pass before your name is called. The Authority prioritizes applicants based on local preferences, which may include homelessness, living in substandard housing, or displacement due to code enforcement.

You can contact DCHA to find out your position on the waitlist if you have already applied. The Authority does not always publish waitlist length publicly, so calling or visiting the office is the most direct way to get current information. If a waitlist is closed, DCHA will tell you when it may reopen, though reopening dates are not may provide.

While you wait, your circumstances may change — income, household size, address. You must report these changes to DCHA so your process stays current. If you move out of DeKalb County, you may lose your place on the waitlist.

What happens after you receive a voucher

Once DCHA issues you a Housing Choice Voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 120 days) to find a rental property. The property must be in DeKalb County or a neighboring county that DCHA serves. You choose the landlord and property, but the landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the property must pass DCHA's inspection.

DCHA inspects the property for health and safety — working plumbing, heat, electrical systems, no mold or pests, adequate space. If the property fails inspection, the landlord must fix the problems before you can move in. Once the property passes, DCHA signs a lease addendum with the landlord, and you sign your own lease.

You pay your share of the rent each month to the landlord. DCHA pays its portion directly to the landlord. If your income changes, you report it to DCHA and your share may adjust. You must recertify your income yearly to keep the voucher active.

Maintenance and repairs in public housing

If you live in DCHA public housing, the Authority is responsible for maintaining the building and making repairs. You report problems through the resident portal, by phone, or in person at the office. For emergencies — no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazards — call the emergency maintenance line when ready.

DCHA aims to respond to emergency repairs within 24 hours and non-emergency repairs within a set timeframe (usually 5 to 10 business days, depending on the problem). If a repair is not made within a reasonable time, you can file a complaint with DCHA management or contact the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which oversees public housing authorities.

You are responsible for keeping your unit clean and not damaging it beyond normal wear and tear. Damage you cause may result in a repair bill or lease violation. DCHA conducts annual inspections of public housing units to check for maintenance issues and lease violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DeKalb County Housing Authority the same as Atlanta Housing Authority?

No. DeKalb County Housing Authority serves unincorporated DeKalb County, while the City of Atlanta Housing Authority serves the city of Atlanta. If you live in Atlanta, you explore to Atlanta Housing Authority. If you live in DeKalb County outside Atlanta, you explore to DCHA. Some people live in areas that border both jurisdictions, so confirm which authority serves your address before explore.

How long does it take to get a voucher or public housing?

Waitlists are typically years long. Some applicants wait three to five years or longer before their name is called, depending on local preferences and funding. DCHA can tell you your position on the waitlist if you have already applied. There is no way to speed up the process once you are on the list.

What if I cannot find a landlord who accepts vouchers?

Finding a landlord willing to accept a Housing Choice Voucher can be difficult. Some landlords refuse because of paperwork, inspection requirements, or bias. DCHA may have a list of landlords who have accepted vouchers in the past. You can also contact local nonprofits that help voucher holders find housing — they sometimes know landlords more willing to participate.

Can I move to a different county with my voucher?

Housing Choice Vouchers are portable, meaning you can use them in other counties, but only if DCHA has a portability agreement with that county's housing authority. DCHA serves DeKalb County and some neighboring areas. Call DCHA to ask which counties your voucher can be used in before you sign a lease outside DeKalb.

What do I do if my landlord is not making repairs?

If you live in DCHA public housing and repairs are not being made, contact DCHA management in writing and request a timeline. If the problem is not fixed, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. If you are a voucher holder and your landlord is not maintaining the property, you can report it to DCHA, which may conduct an inspection and withhold payment if the property fails.