Stacked with more than 24,000 people, the waitlist for voucher assistance from Atlanta’s housing authority is still plenty daunting, but Atlanta Housing (AH) officials — during a viral pandemic, no less — are still chipping away at the long roster.
Category: Atlanta Civic Circle
Posted inSean Keenan
Atlanta missed the mark during the protests, but police and demonstrators can learn from the turmoil
Where we go from here remains uncertain, but there’s something comforting and promising about the prospect of an APD officer ditching their riot shield and gas mask and tear gas grenades to wield instead a picket sign emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter.” Until then, though, the morbid song of squad car sirens and clicking handcuffs shall ring too loud.
Posted inSean Keenan
Housing authority aims to convert historic Westside building into affordable residences
Atlanta Housing officials took steps on Wednesday that are expected to pave the way for a historic Westside building to be reimagined as an affordable housing complex for people experiencing homelessness, military veterans, and young people aging out of foster care.
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Okefenokee Swamp: More than 60,000 public comments in period ending Thursday
May 28, Thursday, is the deadline for public comments on the proposed sand mine at the Okefenokee Swamp, a proposal that has garnered attention from environmental advocates nationwide. More than 60,000 public comments have been submitted, the Georgia River Network announced in a morning email.
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Fulton County again bumps residential eviction proceedings amid pandemic
On Wednesday, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County once again suspended, among other matters, residential eviction proceedings, a blessing for people whose living situations have been put in jeopardy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inLatest News
TAD funding for affordable housing near Beltline could get a boost
Atlanta’s economic development agency, Invest Atlanta, could be directing more funding for affordable housing along the Beltline during the next fiscal year.
Posted inSean Keenan
Atlanta officials consider more than doubling development impact fees
Atlanta City Council leaders and other city staff are hashing out a plan to update the so-called “impact fee program,” which utilizes funds collected from developers and directs them toward public services, such as infrastructure projects.
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In Fulton County, eviction proceedings still on hold — for now
Fulton County officials have put a pin in eviction proceedings, keeping residents whose finances have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic safe at home. For now, that is.
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Atlanta housing bond: Investors may buy, but at what price for city taxpayers
Atlanta may well be able to borrow money to provide affordable housing, based on the example of a bond sale Wednesday by a state with a credit rating one step above junk. Two questions are whether Atlanta’s city leaders want to take on new debt in the current economic slowdown, and what interest rate they’re willing for taxpayers to pay.
Posted inSean Keenan
COVID-19 crisis spotlights importance of equitable transit-oriented development
Historically, affordable housing units in Atlanta have been concentrated in communities lacking in amenities like public transportation access, grocery stores and solid schools. The COVID-19 crisis has shone a glaring spotlight on the need to change that.
Posted inColumns
Socially distanced candidates stuggle to control their messages, and their laptops
You could see the very picture of a politician’s frustration in this socially distant campaign season about eight minutes into the Atlanta Press Club’s first-ever Hollywood Squares-style debate, broadcast Sunday morning on Georgia Public Television.
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Former Mayor Shirley Franklin says planned housing bond on hold; others differ
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said the city’s planned housing bond is dead in the water, a casualty of revenue shortfalls anticipated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least two members of the Atlanta City Council may beg to differ.
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How Atlanta Housing, partners roll with the punches of the pandemic
Like most companies and public agencies these days, Atlanta’s housing authority has been compelled to restructure its operations to cater to the global pandemic.
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Cut in half, to $100 million, Atlanta’s proposed housing bond retains support on council
Atlanta’s proposed housing bond will be pared to $100 million and presented to the Atlanta City Council soon, Atlanta City Councilmember Matt Westmoreland said Wednesday at an event sponsored by CityRootsATL. Councilmember Michael Julian Bond supported Westmoreland’s call for action.
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Take a virtual tour of affordable homes for sale in historic Southwest Atlanta
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, claiming lives, shuttering businesses and forcing people to isolate from friends and family, the need to produce and preserve affordable housing in Atlanta and beyond has never been more severe.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta’s housing costs reflect supply, demand – plus a growing tilt toward luxury
The law of supply and demand that’s affecting affordable housing in Atlanta has an added complexity that’s arrived at the forefront: A somewhat limited supply is increasingly tilting toward higher income residents.
Posted inColumns
Leadership lessons from POTUS 1: What Washington wanted to say on becoming president
By SETH KALLER, president, Seth Kaller, Inc. (Historic Documents and Legacy Collections) “The preliminary observation that a free government ought to be built on the information and virtue of the people will here find its proper place.” On April 30, 1789 George Washington solemnly swore to “faithfully execute the Office of President of the United […]
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Coronavirus pandemic sends affordable housing bond program to back burner
Affordable housing advocates jumped for joy when Atlanta officials announced a bond program that would help boost the city’s affordable housing stock jumped from $100 million to $200 million. Now, though, due to the economic damage spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, the issuance of the bond has to be put on hold.
Posted inSean Keenan
Activists: State must clarify restrictions on short-term rentals amid coronavirus crisis
On April 9, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order suspending short-term rental stays to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, a move that some activists worried could be detrimental for the many folks who find themselves in precarious living situations during the global pandemic — especially if the language of the order isn’t clarified.
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Atlanta’s proposed $200 million debt for affordable housing resembles balloon mortgage
Terms of Atlanta’s plan to borrow $200 million to fund affordable housing resemble a balloon loan on a residence – interest-only payments for the first two years, plus a higher interest rate than other types of debt and the ability to stretch the loan out to 50 years to lower the payment due each year.
