Atlanta Housing (AH) is in the business of solving big problems. As Georgia’s largest housing authority and one of the nation’s most substantial, we are emerging as a global beacon in tackling one of humanity’s most urgent dilemmas: affordable housing.
As housing prices remain high, and interest rates continue to rise, the dream of homeownership has become an increasingly elusive goal for many. For families with low to moderate incomes, this dream can seem almost insurmountable. The housing crisis calls for immediate and compassionate action, and Atlanta Housing is at the forefront of this charge.
AH is taking bold strides to make the American Dream of homeownership a reality by equipping individuals with the necessary tools, resources, and funding to climb the ladder of economic mobility.
As we continue to encourage homeownership as an affordable housing solution, the ever-relevant question posed by the late Atlanta Housing Commissioner James Allen, “Affordable for who?” continues to guide our actions. While 96% of Atlanta Housing households are classified as either extremely or very low-income, with 75% earning less than $30,650 per year, our down payment assistance program extends its reach to families earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or $81,651 per year. This approach allows us to extend our hand to teachers, public servants, police officers – the very pillars of our society, making homeownership a tangible reality for everyday Atlantans.
We are expediting the development of AH-owned land across our city to foster robust, diverse communities, including University Choice Neighborhood, Englewood, Civic Center, Bowen, Thomasville Heights, and Mechanicsville. We are infusing these neighborhoods with affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. As we strategically invest in these neighborhoods, we are unwavering in our commitment to ensure that buyers and renters have access to amenities, services, and quality schools.
As we recognize June as Homeownership Month, I am proud to shine a light on one of Atlanta’s best tools, the AH Down Payment Assistance Program. As AH’s CEO, I am steadfast in my determination to instill a renewed sense of purpose and a culture of urgency within Atlanta Housing to play our part in what City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens refers to as the ‘group project’ of propelling Atlanta forward. With the support of our affordable housing partners, Atlanta Housing will strive to ensure that the wealth-building potential of homeownership is within reach. That is my pledge.