The Atlanta Regional Commission highlights successes in housing to elevate progress and momentum, to recognize local government’s work in housing affordability and accessibility, and to provide best practices and resources.
Gwinnett County deployed a $21 million Affordable Housing Development Fund (AHDF) with $19 million funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $2 million from the HOME Investment Partnership Program. The county has combined these federal resources with changes to their Unified Development Ordinance and Unified Plan to leverage funds for affordable housing. For an average investment of under $20,000 per unit, over 1,100 units will be developed or preserved at affordability levels of 65% or 80% of area median income for at least 20 years.
Two projects funded through these resources include:
Ivy Ridge Apartments – This project received $2.8 million in AHDF funding and produced 256 affordable units for households making up to 60% AMI.
Legacy at Walton Crossing – This is a two-phase project that received a total of $1.1 million in AHDF funding. Phase I will be 65 affordable units for families, while Phase II will be 72 affordable units for seniors.
Gwinnett County’s effort to combat homelessness includes helping to fund the conversion of an extended stay hotel into affordable housing for vulnerable residents. The extended stay hotel will be converted to 73 affordable homes serving those earning less than $45,000 per year. The project will focus on homeless youth, kids aging out of foster care, and senior citizens.
The Marietta City Council unanimously approved plans submitted by Passion With Purpose to build a community of tiny homes to house homeless students in the public school system. Emmanuel’s Village is dedicated to providing stability, resources, and care for homeless students and their families. Through safe shelter, mentorship, and community support, Emmanuel’s Village is a place of hope and new beginnings.
Emmanuel’s Village will consist of 15 tiny homes which will be used as transitional housing for students in the Marietta City School system and will include a playground, community garden, and pavilion to assist students and their families. The community will be hosted on the property of Glory Haus, and services will be provided on-site by community partners.
The mission of Emmanuel’s Village is moving unhoused students and their families from survival to stability. The vision is a day when no child in Marietta goes unhoused through the creation and multiplication of transitional housing communities.
The City of Canton has made significant strides in affordable housing. The city has created pre-designed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans free to use with no permit fees. A new downpayment assistance program helps with home ownership. Canton established a Housing Trust Fund and transferred in-lieu fees to seed this fund, and is helping education leaders and community members through participation in the Cherokee Regional Housing Forum.
The city has also proposed a pilot project: a cottage development called the North Canton Cottage Village.
The City of Atlanta is using public land to build complete, affordable neighborhoods. The types of activation are new mixed-income housing with at least 30% units are affordable to those earning 50-80% AMI. All developments are required to accept vouchers to help Atlantan’s making under $40,000 per year. In addition, the city is activating new home ownership at 80-120% AMI.
The Atlanta Urban Development Corporation (AUDC) and Atlanta Public Schools (APS) announced a groundbreaking Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to redevelop eight surplus school properties across the city.
The City has also adopted a comprehensive strategy to tackle blight as part of its commitment to healthy neighborhoods. The Safe and Secure Property Initiative brings together City, state, and federal agencies to leverage their powers to intervene on the behalf of residents and neighbors, and activates the full toolbox of enforcement powers to bring properties back to productive use.
The City of Atlanta recently broke ground on a new supportive housing project. December 5, 2024, was an historic day for affordable housing around the Beltline as leaders gathered to break ground on permanent supportive housing for the homeless. Known as the Ralph David House, the adaptive-reuse development will convert the old eyesore motel at 277 Moreland Avenue into 54 apartments in the Reynoldstown community. This is part of an initiative to bring 500 new permanent supportive units online by the end of 2025, and is the first time that Atlanta Beltline has invested in a project with all permanently supportive housing.
The Housing Help Center is the City of Atlanta’s official housing resource center. The Housing Help Center opened in 2023 to connect residents to resources on home buying and renting, and the center partners with non-profit organization assistance programs.
The City of Decatur recently completed a new affordable housing project in partnership with Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) and the Decatur Land Trust (DLT) for the new Oak Cottage Court. All six homes sold in Downtown Decatur for 100% AMI or less and will remain affordable permanently through the DLT. Three owners are employees of the City Schools of Decatur.
The City of Decatur’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance will produce 41 new affordable homes near the Avondale MARTA station. Infrastructure work is underway for mixed-use, transit-adjacent Halo East Decatur. The City of Decatur utilized their Tax Allocation District and Inclusionary Zoning ordinance to move forward on this project with over 10% of the rental homes affordable at 80% AMI.
Decatur’s new Missing Middle Ordinance leads to Historic Preservation Award for Duplex Renovation, a single-family owner converted their home to a duplex with rental income potential.
The City of Brookhaven commissioned an Affordable Housing Task Force and implemented the recommendation of the task force to incorporate affordable housing into their 2018 Zoning Ordinance Rewrite, including:
Through their Mandatory Workforce Housing Requirement policy, Brookhaven has a pipeline of approximately 300 affordable rental units at 80% AMI as part of larger new developments.
Brookhaven is piloting a new project on Buford Highway that is 100% affordable. The city has purchased the land and is partnering with the DeKalb Housing Authority. The property currently has an office tenant which helped secure the funding (since this is an income-producing property). Brookhaven also offers a $1,000 per month housing assistance payment to police officers and recently to city staff.
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.
