Background

HouseATL is a cross-sector group of civic leaders committed to building the political and community will for a comprehensive and coordinated housing affordability action plan in the City of Atlanta. HouseATL is an open taskforce – initiated through the convening power and resources of ULI Atlanta, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Central Atlanta Progress, Center for Civic Innovation, and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. These partners engaged more than 200 civic leaders in working toward actionable recommendations beginning in January 2018. We have defined the problems, identified the barriers to success, taken a data-driven approach, and engaged in thoughtful problem-solving so that civic and business leadership in the City of Atlanta will have a shared, comprehensive set of policies and adequate funding to address housing affordability.

Guiding Principles

Underpinning these recommendations are the following guiding principles

• Housing is a means to an end for a more sustainable, inclusive, healthy City of Atlanta. Recommendations should advance racial and socioeconomic equity in our communities.
• Cross-sector collaboration is critical to actionable solutions. We seek to engage civic and community leadership at all levels, recognizing that sustainable change only happens with authentic resident support.
• We recognize that there are many related issues (wage growth, quality schools, and transportation access, among others) that are inextricably linked to affordability and community retention and are supportive of these efforts that are outside of the scope of this particular taskforce.
• We believe housing strategies should be incorporated across the city of Atlanta, balancing opportunities in neighborhoods with high quality of life factors with comprehensive community development.
• We are committed to serving all of the affordability needs of Atlantans, with an emphasis on those most in need.
• The city is part of a broad, regional Atlanta housing market. Regional planning with our neighbors, particularly around the link between regional transportation and housing affordability, must be part of our long-term affordability solutions.
• Strategies must harness the power of the marketplace – capital and development – to meaningfully increase housing production and preservation.
• We acknowledge that some recommendations may require policy alignment and/or state law change and there will be a need for ongoing advocacy and collaboration with various state agencies and legislative partners.