Stories for African Americans
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Atlanta Housing Woes
In the not-so-distant past, Atlanta prided itself on being a city where everyone could find a decent place to live, regardless of income or socioeconomic status.
One could transition from one end of town to the next without giving it much thought. Baby boomers and Generation Xers rented apartments or bought homes wherever they pleased, even if it meant leaving the inner city behind.
With today's sky-high rents and rising mortgage rates, Atlanta has become less accessible, especially for the poor and middle class, who are being priced out of the American dream. Some blame a housing boom fueled by the upwardly mobile and a desire among suburbanites, who hate being stuck in traffic, to return to the city they once fled because of school desegregation and rising crime. Neighborhoods are being redeveloped, but not in the interest of those struggling to make it.
So, what must Atlanta and other growing cities do to fix their housing problem? Since every American deserves to live in a home they can afford, the private sector must be pressured to build communities within their price range. Georgians, regardless of background, need a place to call their own. It's the right thing to do.
The government could also partner with businesses to help shoulder the cost of building affordable housing. The mayor of Atlanta, for instance, has collaborated with companies to create mixed-income properties for seniors and low-income residents. Where public housing once stood are loving communities for everyone to enjoy. Tax-credit apartment buildings are also on the rise in the city. Those who qualify pay below-market rent rates, with the federal government picking up the rest. This is a win-win for all involved.
Atlanta still has a long way to go in solving its housing crisis. Because most public housing has been demolished in the city, many of the poor have been pushed out to surrounding areas, which may no longer be feasible since these communities have suffered a similar fate in recent years. Added to the equation are poor elderly homeowners who are being priced out because of rising property taxes, and the mayor and council must deal with them. With these and other pressing issues on their plate, local governments have their work cut out for them.
One could transition from one end of town to the next without giving it much thought. Baby boomers and Generation Xers rented apartments or bought homes wherever they pleased, even if it meant leaving the inner city behind.
With today's sky-high rents and rising mortgage rates, Atlanta has become less accessible, especially for the poor and middle class, who are being priced out of the American dream. Some blame a housing boom fueled by the upwardly mobile and a desire among suburbanites, who hate being stuck in traffic, to return to the city they once fled because of school desegregation and rising crime. Neighborhoods are being redeveloped, but not in the interest of those struggling to make it.
So, what must Atlanta and other growing cities do to fix their housing problem? Since every American deserves to live in a home they can afford, the private sector must be pressured to build communities within their price range. Georgians, regardless of background, need a place to call their own. It's the right thing to do.
The government could also partner with businesses to help shoulder the cost of building affordable housing. The mayor of Atlanta, for instance, has collaborated with companies to create mixed-income properties for seniors and low-income residents. Where public housing once stood are loving communities for everyone to enjoy. Tax-credit apartment buildings are also on the rise in the city. Those who qualify pay below-market rent rates, with the federal government picking up the rest. This is a win-win for all involved.
Atlanta still has a long way to go in solving its housing crisis. Because most public housing has been demolished in the city, many of the poor have been pushed out to surrounding areas, which may no longer be feasible since these communities have suffered a similar fate in recent years. Added to the equation are poor elderly homeowners who are being priced out because of rising property taxes, and the mayor and council must deal with them. With these and other pressing issues on their plate, local governments have their work cut out for them.
Update: Nearly ten years later, the housing crisis in Atlanta has worsened. The monthly rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment is roughly $1,500, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for low- to middle-income earners to afford. Moreover, the average price for a newly constructed three-bedroom home ranges from 300 to 400 thousand, depending on location, which has future homeowners doubtful of the possibility of home ownership.
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