DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson on Housing, Crime Center & More | Chakira's Corner

In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson welcomes DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation on housing, public safety, infrastructure, water billing, and inclusion.

They discuss the Park 500 rapid-housing acquisition, why general fund dollars matter for wraparound services, and how DeKalb’s new Chief Housing Officer is steering a broader strategy across affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. The discussion also covers long-term revitalization along the Memorial Drive corridor (including the 4380 Memorial Drive purchase), a major investment in a Real-Time Crime Center with drones and FLOCK cameras, and targeted fixes for high water bills, plus efforts to engage New American communities in boards, commissions, and county procurement.

Other topics include homeownership access through community events, addressing rental leak repairs via new legislation, progress on consent-decree infrastructure upgrades, and practical programs like the Water Rate Assurance Program (WRAP) and DeKalb C.A.R.E.S. The episode closes with a call for residents to get involved, offering talent, feedback, and partnership in building a “One DeKalb.”

Featured Resources:
• Water Rate Assurance Program (WRAP) – Urban League of Greater Atlanta: https://ulgatl.org/dekalb-wrap-program
• Email: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov
• Social & Updates: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakira
• Website: commissionerchakirajohnson.com

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Overview
Host Matt Shedd introduces Chakira’s Corner and today’s guest, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

01:42 – Homelessness, Mental Health & Park 500
How the Park 500 townhome acquisition supports rapid housing and why general fund dollars enable true wraparound services.

05:00 – Housing Strategy & Voucher Landscape
DeKalb’s first Chief Housing Officer, aligning affordable, workforce, and market-rate units; potential Section 8 impacts and why transition supports matter.

10:15 – Building Supply & Shelter Planning
Where new units lag, why a county shelter is on the table, and balancing marketplace, workforce, and affordability goals.

13:20 – Memorial Drive Revitalization
Vision for catalytic redevelopment, the county’s purchase of 4380 Memorial Drive, and transit-oriented mixed-use near MARTA.

21:02 – Real-Time Crime Center Investment
Unanimous BOC approval for a 10-year technology plan: FLOCK cameras, drone first-responder coverage, regional data-sharing, and civilian analyst jobs.

27:20 – Water Billing & Landlord Leak Repairs
The case for stronger accountability so renters aren’t stuck with unfixable leaks; why this complements earlier water-protection measures.

30:45 – Consent Decree Progress & Rates
Bill disputes, long-term infrastructure upgrades, average bills, and the importance of paying for essential services.

33:27 – WRAP & DeKalb Cares
How residents can get help with bills and home plumbing repairs based on income, and current processing timelines.

36:00 – Welcoming New Americans
Recruiting diverse voices to boards and commissions (especially in Clarkston) and outreach through multilingual communications.

38:45 – Procurement On-Ramps
County seminars helping small businesses—Ethiopian, Indian, Latinx, and others—register and compete for DeKalb contracts.

41:40 – Takeaways for Residents
“Engineering progress for DeKalb,” collaborative momentum with a new BOC and CEO, and a call to lend your talents.