Atlanta, the birthplace of public housing, hosted leaders from across the country June 11-13 for critical discussions on the future of public housing nationwide.
“We are incredibly excited to not only showcase Atlanta but also to continue one of the most important conversations we could have right now – the urgent need for affordable housing,” said Terri Lee, president and CEO of Atlanta Housing.
Members of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), representing more than 80 cities from Los Angeles to New York, gathered in Atlanta for the organization’s three-day summer meeting.
CLPHA members own and manage nearly 40% of the nation’s public housing stock and provide vital services to over 1 million low-income households.
The conference began with a guided bus tour of Atlanta Housing’s current and upcoming developments, showcasing one of the most ambitious public housing pipelines in the country.
In 2023, Atlanta Housing committed to creating or preserving 10,000 affordable housing units by the end of 2027.
“I’m proud to report we are two-thirds of the way toward achieving our goal, with more than 6,700 units created or preserved, thanks to our dedicated staff and partners who share the belief that housing is foundational to community growth,” Lee said at the conference’s welcome reception.
Lee, who serves on CLPHA’s board of directors, introduced attendees to Atlanta’s significant public housing history.
“Atlanta’s leadership in housing dates back nearly a century,” Lee said. “In 1936, Techwood Homes opened as the nation’s first federally funded public housing project, establishing affordable, safe, and dignified living conditions as a public responsibility. That same year, University Homes became the first federally funded public housing community specifically built for Black Americans.”
In 1992, Atlanta revolutionized public housing policy with HOPE VI – a transformative initiative that replaced distressed housing projects with vibrant, mixed-income communities. This program set the national standard, creating pathways for economic mobility and self-sufficiency.
“Today, we remain committed to that legacy, grounded in progress and driven by innovation,” Lee said.
The conference emphasized innovation in public housing through various sessions led by the organization’s executive team. Key topics included:
- Innovative housing designs addressing homelessness.
- Creative funding structures for affordable housing development.
- Housing as a pathway to economic independence.
- The significance of public-private collaboration.
- The positive economic impact of affordable housing.
- Opportunities offered by federally funded Choice Neighborhood Grants.
For Lee, hosting the conference provided Atlanta another chance to influence national conversations about public housing.
“We’re here to advance the dialogue—not just about how public housing affects Atlanta, but how it impacts our nation. Bringing together visionary leaders helps us find solutions and continue setting standards,” Lee said.