The Affordable Housing Task Force wrapped up their work in February 2020 with a presentation of findings and recommendations on how to preserve and increase housing affordability in Decatur. Since then, the City of Decatur has already implemented several of the recommendations and is pleased to share the following list as an update:
The first measure to address Decatur’s shortage of accessible for-sale and rental housing is a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy. Prior to this policy, developers were encouraged to add affordable new rental units to new developments by allowing a density bonus. The new policy adopted July 2020 requires that any new development with five or more units set aside at least 10% of the units for moderate-income households. This policy should bring its first inclusionary units in 2022 with new developments that are now in the permitting process.
A full-time Affordable Housing Fellow was hired by the City in November 2020 to research and implement Task Force recommendations.
The Decatur Land Trust (DLT) was incorporated as a non-profit entity on July 23, 2021 to facilitate the purchase and development of homes, rental units, and land with 99-year renewable land leases for permanent affordability. To start off, the DLT will partner with the Decatur Development Authority on the Cottage Court Pilot Project at 230 Commerce Drive and Legacy Project Board on the north housing village at Legacy Park.
With extensive assistance from the Atlanta Regional Commission through their Community Design Assistance Program (CDAP), a year-round Housing Rehabilitation Program will be established to facilitate home repairs for low-income and senior homeowners. The CDAP report provided City staff and leaders with the nuts and bolts on how best to operate the program and funding sources.
Up next for consideration are amendments to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. One of the recommendations from the Task Force is to revise the RS-17 zoning areas, and another is to increase the variety of housing options in traditional, single-family zoning districts by allowing low-density duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes. City staff are at the beginning of public participation on this topic and the community at large is asked to participate.
The Missing Middle Housing Community Survey will be open until November 15 to collect input from the public on these potential zoning changes to Decatur’s neighborhoods.
To gather input from residents on missing middle housing policy, the City of Decatur will host three Focused Conversation Sessions to inform final policy recommendations. Each session include panelists to answer questions and will allow for participants to go into breakout rooms for further discussion.
Sign up to attend a Focused Conversation session. These are scheduled to take place virtually using Zoom.
Wednesday, Oct. 20 ● 6-7:30 p.m.- https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsfuuqrDMoHNe8ooKg16k4Vb5ENo_ReBL1
Tuesday, Oct. 26 ● 11:30-1 p.m. – https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtf-muqjIoHtGfrlJ7gFprOCA3SzzAI8WO
Thursday, Nov. 11 ● 6-7:30 p.m. – https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYod-utpzwoEtVlXw6nvK2MhB_2CXFjJoVn
A hotline will be available 1-4 p.m., Tuesday thru Thursday, Oct. 26 – Nov. 11 for the public to call to ask questions, make comments or learn about specific events. During this time period, call 470-868-5114.
For more information on Decatur’s affordable housing efforts, visit decaturga.com/affordablehousing or email kristin.allin@decaturga.com.
