Metro Atlanta has long been an affordable place to live, an advantage that helped fuel the region’s growth. But quality, affordable housing is becoming more difficult to find. This threatens to reduce our quality of life and economic vitality. About one-third of homeowners and half of renters are now considered “cost burdened” – that is, they spend at least 30% of income on housing or 50% on housing and transportation.
A number of factors are causing metro Atlanta’s housing affordability challenge.
Metro Atlanta’s housing affordability challenge affects how we live
Low cost of living helped fuel the region’s economic boom, but eroding housing affordability threatens to erode this competitive edge.
More than half of renters age 65 or older spend 30% or more on housing costs – a concern as this population may double by 2040.
Many people are priced out of housing near major job centers. This means more cars on the road, more miles traveled, and less time spent with family and friends.
Families that move to chase cheaper rents cause greater instability in both student populations and neighborhoods.
The Atlanta Regional Commission has long-recognized the critical need to address our region’s housing challenges. In the past few years, board members, local communities, and other regional partners have increasingly looked to ARC for data, planning, and technical assistance that help tackle the region’s housing challenges.
In response, the Atlanta Regional Commission is partnering with organizations across the region to develop a Regional Housing Strategy to help local governments better understand their housing challenges and begin to address them through actionable and innovative strategies
An interactive digital tool is being developed that allows the Atlanta region to be broken into “housing subareas” – small areas that have similar housing and demographic characteristics. The goal is to develop strategies to address housing affordability in each submarket type by:
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more
NOTICE: Gov. Brian Kemp has extended a public health emergency declaration and a statewide shelter-in-place order for older adults and medically fragile residents through June 12.
The Atlanta Regional Commission office at 229 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, is closed to the public until further notice. All employees are working remotely and conducting business operations. ARC employees can be contacted directly during normal business hours. However, if you need immediate assistance call 404-463-3100.
If you are seeking resources for older persons and individuals with disabilities, contact us at404-463-3333 or visit empowerline.org.
