Affordable Housing Bond Sale Proposal Under Review in Atlanta

A new proposal could lead to legislation that sweeps $100 million into Atlanta's housing market to build affordable housing and purchase key land for future development.

1 minute read

August 31, 2020, 5:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Atlanta Skyline

k1ng / Flickr

In Atlanta, a new affordable housing proposal hopes to use $100 million in borrowed capital to bring over 3,000 affordable units to the market. The measure asks for only half the amount that was considered by lawmakers in April of this year, reports David Pendered. 

"Now returning at the mayor’s original $100 million figure, proceeds of the bonds are to create affordably priced residences, and to maintain existing residences so they don’t become uninhabitable, and to purchase land for development of affordable housing," writes Pendered. 

The "Building the Beloved Community" housing affordability initiative would offer deferred loans to long-time residents to make home repairs, build new multifamily developments to serve the Atlanta homeless population, and purchase "key land tracts across the city" to be forever dedicated to affordable housing. 

Pendered's article describes the changing scope of the measure, which was first introduced in 2007 and marks the third iteration of a bond sale to support affordable housing in Atlanta since 2000. "The history of this legislation began in February. Bottoms’ administration submitted a $100 million proposal. The council doubled the amount, through the action of two committees. The mayor withdrew the proposal in April," says Pendered.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 in Saporta Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

4 hours ago - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

5 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA