Atlanta councilmember resolution urging mayor to create office to help veterans heading to full vote

An Atlanta City Councilmember wants to have a city office meant to help veterans and assist with broader military affairs needs.

Councilmember Jason Dozier announced Tuesday that his resolution urging Mayor Andre Dickens to establish a City Office of Veterans and Military Affairs was on its way to a full council vote for approval.

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The full council vote comes after the resolution was approved unanimously at the city’s Finance and Executive Committee.

Now, the resolution goes before the full Atlanta City Council for consideration on Monday, Nov. 16.

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Dozier’s proposal comes while he is the first and only veteran to serve on the city council in at least 30 years, according to his announcement.

If approved, the veterans office would “coordinate resources and support for veterans, active-duty service members” and their families through a variety of support groups and city programs.

The main goal of the office, according to Dozier, is to create a central point of contact to advocate for military members, veterans and their families when they’re in need.

“Atlanta is home to more than 16,000 veterans, yet our City’s efforts to support them are spread across multiple departments and organizations. This legislation would help coordinate those efforts and ensure veterans and their families have a clear place to turn for support,” Dozier said in a statement.

Dozier said when it comes to housing, finding jobs, creating businesses and accessing critical services, Atlanta has a big opportunity to strengthen partnerships and better use the resources available.

The councilmember said the office would also provide more opportunities to have Atlanta work with veteran-serving nonprofits, agencies and even the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“For nearly 15 years, I’ve dedicated much of my professional and public service career to supporting veterans nationally and here at home. And as a veteran, this work is deeply personal,” Dozier said. “I’m incredibly proud to help Atlanta embark on this deliberate, meaningful work and build a lasting commitment to a community I hold dear. Our responsibility to those who served extends well beyond Veterans Day and I’m excited about the work ahead.”

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