As co-founder of A Home For Everyone in DeKalb, Shelly Fine has spent years fighting for affordable housing. Through this work, she’s seen many people who, even though they have a small income, still cannot afford an apartment. So she started a program, focusing on ahelping people with limited income get into rooming houses. “Many of the folks that we see are getting ssi (Supplemental Security Income) of about $1000 a month and they would never be able to afford an apartment

As the Executive Director for A Home For Everyone In DeKalb, I attended the DeKalb Commission meeting on August 25 to hear public comments on urban camping and observe perspectives from residents and officials. It was encouraging to see many oppose the Urban Camping Ordinance by Commissioner Nicole Massiah. I wonder if our community will continue advocating for our unhoused neighbors and how long we must wear our yellow “Support Unhoused Neighbors” shirts to remind others of

At 71 years old, Teddy Bridges found himself sleeping in his truck on a freezing cold night in January. He had just been kicked out of an illegal boarding house and was desperate for help. Teddy had never experienced homelessness. A proud and dignified man who always carries himself well, he had no idea where to turn or how to navigate the system. After spending all his money on a $300/week motel, an old friend from Decatur High School introduced him to Greg White. Greg Whit

Mary Ann Schneider and Sparky are tireless advocates for unhoused individuals. Mary Ann Schneider is passionate about many things, but nothing more than helping people navigate the Social Security system. "The Social Security Administration makes it so difficult for people to get their benefits, especially if you can't read. But even if you can, it can be very difficult." After retiring at age 60, Mary Ann spent the next 13 years volunteering at Emmaus House in Peoplestown. E

After 10 years in a relationship, Tonia left her home after her partner began abusing her. She found a housing program living in an apartment with 3 other women where each only had to pay $700/month. Things were going well until suddenly, one day, she got word that the program was ending. At first, she was told that she could continue to stay in her apartment because a new organization would be taking over. When months went by and she didn’t get any new information, she start

As Executive Director of A Home For Everyone In DeKalb, I witnessed the DeKalb Board of Commissioners adopt the Unhoused Support and Service Resolution. I participated in planning since last summer and raised concerns about resource access for community neighbors. Initially, there was no work group for those with lived experience. Carol Dotson, CEO of InTelegy, facilitated sessions where thirteen unhoused individuals shared insights. They highlighted barriers such as unreturn

DeKalb County housing costs are outpacing income, making home ownership unaffordable for those earning under $100,000. Over half of renters pay more than 30% of their income due to high population growth, construction costs, and insufficient new housing. This information is from DeKalb Commissioner Michelle Long Spears' website. DeKalb County is creating its first Comprehensive Housing Plan to tackle these issues. In March, community meetings were held, including one at the T

Jennifer Yearwood, case manager for A Home For Everyone In DeKalb’s two transitional homes, understands the work she does from a personal perspective. Her own lived experience inspires her. “I was chronically homeless as a young adult. I ended up getting into transitional housing”. Besides working with residents of AHFEID’s Snapfinger House and the Oakhurst Women’s Workforce group home, Jennifer’s day job is as a housing support coordinator for Open Doors, another local non-p

A Home For Everyone In DeKalb was the lead partner for Moral Monday at the Georgia State Capitol on February 23. The focus was on housing cuts and voucher cuts. Executive Director Greg White offers his thoughts on the day, "I was honored to share a few words about this complex topic as I watched 50 or more community neighbors on the streets around the Capitol. I shared that our approach to emergency intervention, wraparound services, and housing depends on three areas: co

A team from a Home For Everyone In DeKalb gathers to receive training before hitting the streets for the 2026 PIT count Once a year in DeKalb County and across the country, the Point in Time (PIT) count is conducted. This census of unhoused individuals, both sheltered and unsheltered, is mandated by HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and affects the funding our community receives to support these individuals. Volunteers (including from A Home For Everyone In DeKalb) gathered

On January 9th, I celebrated my one year anniversary in the role as the Executive Director of A Home For Everyone In DeKalb. Some of the reasons I am grateful for the position I'm in are the connections I can foster to support our mission. I was able to witness history seeing Mayor Tony Powers sworn in as the first African American male mayor in Decatur's 203 year history. Unhoused issues are a top priority for Tony Powers and other City of Decatur leaders. During the month I

Last year (winter ’24-25) AHFEID provided a total of 1,318 MARTA cards to unhoused patrons primarily because there was no van pick up by Frontline in Decatur. This winter ('25-'26), with the Decatur Library being a pick up location, our goals have been to reduce the number of people that Frontline would need to transport from that location as well as to increase the efficiency of getting unhoused patrons to shelter. To date this winter, we have given out 1,093 MARTA tickets

Tell us about yourself: I grew up in Dunwoody and then went to UGA, where I earned an undergraduate degree in public health along with certificates in nonprofit management and leadership and global health. After graduating, I returned to Atlanta and completed a Master of Divinity at Emory University. I now live in Decatur and where I work with A Home For Everyone in DeKalb and nanny. This role brings together my passion for service, my commitment to community, and my desire t

Grace Ann Young joined AHFEID as our Volunteer Intake Specialist 10 months ago, during a time when inquiries for our services were increasing rapidly. She manages text messages and inquiries from potential clients, and as she puts it, the experience has been incredibly mutually beneficial. Grace Ann and fellow volunteer Brent at Frontline Response After the sudden and very unexpected loss of my son to cardiac arrest, I knew I needed help during my grieving process. I was pull

Five years ago, when the pandemic hit, La Ronda lost her two stable jobs that were keeping her and her family afloat. “It was a lot of...

When Carol was laid off from her full-time job, she struggled to find new employment. She not only lost her income, but also her...

Henry (Faulk) Harrison was one of the original residents at the Snapfinger transitional home owned by A Home For Everyone In DeKalb...

By Greg White, Executive Director, A Home For Everyone In DeKalb I recently returned from the Pathways to Home: DeKalb’s Texas Delegation...

Carole Cantore Dotson from InTelegy, conducts a lived experience focus group As DeKalb County makes plans for the DeKalb Housing Plan,...

“We were homeless. I’ve never in my life been homeless. Being homeless with a twelve-year-old like I said, so you know, 9 months of...