HouseATL

Decaturish reports on a recent retreat by DeKalb County Commissioners and new CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson. Housing and homelessness are reported as key priorities for several members of the leadership.

HouseATL member, Wellroot Family Services, is making progress on the renovations of their apartment buildings in Decatur, which provide housing for young people exiting the foster care system:

Atlanta Civic Circle's Sean Keenan spoke with various Atlantans about how tarriffs and federal fundings cuts will impact affordable housing development, services and quality. The article notes that it could exacerbate the role of private equity funds and other institutional investors in the housing market.

As reported by Governing, the federal administration is turning away from the research-based Housing First model of addressing homelessness.

To note, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development seems to be recognizing Fair Housing Month by taking down the primary web pages related to Fair Housing. The City of Atlanta and other local entities have critical roles to play to ensure residents are knowledgeable about their legal protections from discrimination in housing.

An in-depth article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution explores some of the history of land use, infrastructure, investment and housing in south DeKalb County, highlighting how the supply of housing has been constrained relative to the needs of the growing population.

With the gutting of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, it's interesting to note that Georgia residents made high levels of consumer complaints about financial fraud and other issues to the agency, relative to other states. ProPublica is seeking to hear from residents who had filed complaints about whether or not those complaints are being addressed - form included in the article below. https://buff.ly/wfh3m8f

Excellent interviews by the Atlanta Business Chronicle's Crystal Edmonson covering leaders who are working to address homelessness in Atlanta - Cathryn Vassell Esq., LCSW, Jack Hardin and Alieizoria (Alie) Redd, Ph.D., LCSW. From Jack - Homelessness at its core is a “mismatch between the cost of housing and the resources available to people who want to be housed.” "Yes, it's true that a significant percentage of people experiencing homelessness have substance use disorders. And yes, it's true that a significant number of people have behavioral health barriers. But the majority of people experiencing homelessness have neither.”

HouseATL member, BCM Georgia, is hosting an event on Sunday May 18th with Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church. This is a free immersive poverty simulation called the “Cost of Poverty Experience” (COPE), which is designed to offer a glimpse into the lives of low-income individuals and families living in our communities. Registration below.

The City of Atlanta has released its third draft of the Comprehensive Development Plan - Plan A - for review and comment.