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ARC’s Local Leadership Housing Action Committee Makes Commitments to Address Housing Affordability Challenges

Atlanta — Feb 03, 2025

(ATLANTA – February 3, 2025) Atlanta Regional Commission’s third Local Leadership Housing Action Committee (LLHAC) cohort recently announced their commitments to address housing affordability challenges in their jurisdictions.

ARC created LLHAC as part of the implementation of the Metro Atlanta Housing Strategy, which launched in 2019 to provide a regional, collaborative approach to address the area’s housing challenges.

ARC’s Local Leadership Housing Action Committee is a one-year commitment by mayors and elected officials from across Metro Atlanta, convened by ARC, to meet to explore the region’s challenges and identify their leadership roles in influencing affordable housing in their communities.

The current cohort comes on the precipice of the New Metro Atlanta Housing Strategy toolkit that recently launched https://metroatlhousing.org/.

The third cohort of the housing committee comprises six mayors and two county commissioners from across the Atlanta region, explored housing issues in the region and their communities, looking at best practices as well as barriers. The cohort also heard from industry experts from various organizations across the housing sector.

At the conclusion of the program, committee members developed jurisdiction-specific commitments that cover a variety of areas.

Common themes include creating land trusts; aligning housing developments with transportation infrastructure improvements; creating affordable, transitional, and permanent housing solutions for the homeless; expanding senior housing; and securing diverse funding among others.

Home prices have been rising four times as fast as wages since 2015, and we are not building enough housing to keep up with our growing population.

2024 LLHAC members are: Ollie Clemons, Mayor of Austell; Beverly Burks, Mayor of Clarkston; Michelle Long Spears, Commissioner, DeKalb County; Neat Robinson, Commissioner, Henry County; David Still, Mayor of Lawrenceville; Marci Fluellyn, Mayor of Lovejoy; Michael Owens, Mayor of Mableton; and Mike Mason, Mayor of Peachtree Corners and 2024 LLHAC Chairman.

Local Leadership Housing Action Committee – Individual Commitments

NOTE: Committee members are pledging to work collaboratively with their fellow elected officials and members of the community to explore steps to address their jurisdiction’s housing challenges.

Mayor Ollie Clemons – City of Austell

• Conduct a commission study and create an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance

• Conduct a commission study and implement mixed use overlay district within the central business district and appropriate general commercial zoning areas

Mayor Beverly Burks – City of Clarkston

• Enhance the housing trust fund to support the development, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing
• Identify and secure diverse funding sources

Commissioner Michelle Long Spears – DeKalb County

• Explore the creation of an affordable housing trust fund
• Look into creating an affordable housing bond financing program within the county

Commissioner Neat Robinson – Henry County

• Commit to “smart growth” within the county to create cohesive plans that reflect the unique challenges and opportunities
• Commit to creating affordable, transitional, and permanent housing solutions for the homeless
• Mayor David Still – City of Lawrenceville

• Preserve existing affordable housing units
• Improve and maintain a high standard of quality living throughout the city

Mayor Marci Fluellyn – City of Lovejoy

• Ensure timely execution of workforce housing project approved by Council
• Advocate for new community center that brings in new services and activities that support families

Mayor Michael Owens– City of Mableton

• Create a visionary strategic housing plan for the city of Mableton
• Work with Council and community to establish the Mableton Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Mayor Mike Mason – City of Peachtree Corners

• Use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase abandoned or blighted properties in a targeted section of Buford Highway to construct new homes
• Review codes in central business district through a moratorium to examine demand for new housing

“This work is critically important to address our housing issues, which if trends continue will threaten our economic competitiveness and our quality of life. Each year, the LLHAC leads the charge by not only their commitment to learn, but with their commitments to lead change efforts. The number of leaders who want to be a part of contributing to LLHAC increases each year, a testament to the success of the program,” said Anna Roach, ARC’s Executive Director and CEO.

Partners of the LLHAC program include the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank (Atlanta Fed Community and Economic Development), Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Urban Land Institute, Enterprise Community Partners, and Georgia Conservancy. Partners operate in the fields of finance, construction and policy and assist by contributing content.

The next cohort for LLHAC begins April 10. For more information, and to read the full 2024 LLHAC report, visit ARC’s website.

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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 75 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s mission is to foster thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.

Contact Name: Sheryl Merritt
Contact Phone: 470-757-3799
Contact Email: smerritt@atlantaregional.org