Real Estate Investments
The Real Estate Investments Department serves as Decide DeKalb Development Authority’s catalyst for redevelopment, housing finance, and strategic real estate investment. The department develops and administers innovative financing tools, incentive programs, and public-private partnerships that support economic growth, neighborhood revitalization, and housing development throughout DeKalb County. Through programs including Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), the EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, the Housing Investment Programs, and other targeted investment initiatives, the department helps attract private capital, close financing gaps, advance catalytic redevelopment projects, expand housing opportunities, and create vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income communities that strengthen DeKalb County’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Tax Allocation Districts
A Tax Allocation District (TAD) is established to accelerate investment by financing certain redevelopment activities in underdeveloped or blighted areas using public dollars. Redevelopment costs are financed through increased property taxes from the new developments. Typically, upon creation, TADs have vacant commercial and residential properties, blighted conditions or need significant environmental remediation.
Brownfields Remediation
At Decide DeKalb, we believe every corner of our county holds potential for transformation and opportunity. Our efforts to revitalize communities include working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on redeveloping brownfield sites, turning neglected and contaminated areas into spaces primed for growth and innovation. This effort has resulted in resources like our Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund and the Brownfield GIS Tool. Click below to learn more about these exciting initiatives.
DeKalb Housing Opportunities
Decide DeKalb, in partnership with DeKalb County, is committed to making housing opportunity a reality for every resident and community in our county. Through the inaugural $155 million Housing Investment Programs initiative, we’re delivering targeted programs that address the full spectrum of housing needs, from homeownership and rehabilitation to attainable multifamily development and neighborhood revitalization.
These aren’t just programs. They’re a long-term commitment to keeping DeKalb accessible, stable, and full of opportunity for the people who live and work here.
