Category: Sustainable Communities

Today, those who own, lease, and operate buildings are increasingly exploring sustainability improvements that can be implemented at scale. The major drivers for this trend: an increase in data available for understanding building performance, the promise of lower utility bills, and a $1B federal investment to update energy codes and implement building performance standards through […]

A place to call home and a job that pays a living wage are fundamental building blocks to a safe and joyful life. Yet, homelessness continues to rise. Rising rents and the disappearance of pandemic aid have led to a 12% increase in homelessness in the U.S., as reported by the Department of Housing and […]

Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. (ANDP), metro Atlanta’s largest nonprofit producer of affordable homes for purchase, focused on closing the racial homeownership gap, today announced its participation in Pretium’s newly launched “First Look Home” nonprofit single-family acquisition program, designed to expand affordable home purchase opportunities. The pilot program with Pretium, a specialized investment firm, marks […]

Extreme weather, high utility costs, and limited access to clean energy impact Georgians across the state. However, many sustainability advocates argue that rural communities are not often considered in decision-making and opportunities to combat these challenges. To help bridge this gap, sustainable building nonprofit Southface Institute and the North Georgia Conservation Coalition (NGCC) began hosting […]

By Michael Norton, Chief Policy Analyst at Reinvestment FundMichelle Schmitt, Senior Analyst II at Reinvestment Fund Access to healthy, fresh, affordable food is not just a matter of convenience but a cornerstone of individual and community well-being. Due to historic and systemic barriers in the United States—such as disinvestment, income inequality, transportation barriers, and food […]

One of The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta’s many facilities—a 324-bed emergency and transitional housing shelter called Red Shield Services—recently completed energy and water efficiency upgrades through Southface Institute’s GoodUse program. GoodUse provides financial and technical assistance to retrofit nonprofit buildings so that utility bill savings can be invested back into core services to the […]

By Kahfii King, Program Manager Healthy Food Financing Initiative   Reinvestment Fund has developed a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to improving the food landscape for underserved urban and rural communities. A key component of the approach is America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), a public-private partnership administered by Reinvestment Fund on behalf of USDA Rural Development […]

Metro Atlanta’s Naeema Gilyard is one of five national recipients of NeighborWorks America’s Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership. Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership nominated Gilyard for her work in environmental activism aimed at creating healthier environments for neighborhoods in Atlanta and Fulton County. Last weekend, NeighborWorks America honored Gilyard and the other resident leaders at a ceremony during the […]

Heat pumps are a hot topic in the world of home appliances and systems today—and for good reason. They are energy efficient and reduce utility costs, and new tax incentives are becoming available through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that offset up-front costs. You will find heat pump technology in clothes dryers and water heaters, […]

For more than 35 years, Reinvestment Fund investments have transformed communities, spanning early childhood education to affordable housing, to expanding access to healthy-fresh food. As we evolve, we have centered our work on racial equity, intentionally focusing on supporting Black and Brown leaders who are championing change in their communities through development.   Just like the […]

Each June, NeighborWorks America and its network of local organizations mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers, businesspeople, neighbors, friends, and local and national elected and civic leaders in a week of neighborhood change and awareness. As a formal or informal neighborhood leader, you can play a vital role in empowering your community for success. Want […]

Atlanta Land Trust (ALT) broke ground at their new development site, The Trust at East Lake. Partner organizations, community development leaders, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined to celebrate this fresh approach to tackling the city’s affordable housing crisis. Working with city leaders, developers, and planners to secure and preserve affordable housing options for residents […]

By ULI Atlanta During the month of March, ULI joins the nation in celebrating the achievements women have made over the course of history — by amplifying women’s profound impact in the real estate and land use industries. ULI has made a global mission commitment to pursuing unrelenting efforts to shape the built environment toward […]

A Florida-based firm’s wealth-stripping scheme is the latest threat to some of the country’s most vulnerable homeowners Homeownership has long been valued as a gateway to intergenerational wealth. Owning a home is a valuable resource for all families, but for communities of color, purchasing a home has historically been frustrated by discriminatory practices.  Discrepancies in […]

Georgia ACT’s 2023 Annual Housing Day at the Capitol was a huge success! Over 300 people (including students from Lambert High School) attended in person and virtually on February 22, 2023, to advocate for the present and future of affordable housing issues and solutions around the State.  Attendees were from Metro Atlanta and rural Georgia. […]

Given the sound economic conditions of the state economy in FY 2022, fiscal revenue surpluses exceed expectations and foreseeable economic development. During the 2023 legislative session, Governor Brian Kemp recommended reallocating $35.7 million to OneGeorgia to establish the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. This fund will allow local development and housing authorities to prepare land for […]

Adetayo Sanusi assumes the role from Sharon Gay Urban Land Institute (ULI)’s Atlanta District Council is pleased to announce Adetayo (Ade) Sanusi has been selected as the 2023 Chair for the Livable Communities Council (LCC). Sanusi assumes the role from Sharon Gay, who served as the 2020-2022 Chair. In his new role, Sanusi will lead […]

As one of the largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas in the Southeast, Atlanta offers tremendous opportunities, attracting investors, corporations and young professionals looking for a place to relocate. While the historic Westside has become a prime location for real estate investment, the price of homes has soared in recent years, leaving many prospective homebuyers […]

The scarcity of affordable housing in cities across the country has been well documented. From the onset of the pandemic, news headlines pointed to rapidly rising home sale prices and the increase in investors and corporate entities purchasing and renting out single-family homes, leaving current and prospective homebuyers and renters on the outside looking in.  […]

For a second year, ULI Atlanta will administer the Etkin Scholar’s program for 2022 – 2023. Last year, ULI Atlanta was one of five district councils to pilot the ULI Etkin Scholar Program designed to introduce college and university students with a real estate interest and degree focus to the resources available through ULI membership […]