An ordinance proposed by an Atlanta City Councilmember would establish the "Building the Beloved Community Affordable Housing Trust Fund"—with a commitment to spend 2 percent of the city's general fund annually.
An ordinance proposed this week in Atlanta City Council would launch a trust fund dedicated to building and preserving affordable housing—spending 2 percent of the city's general fund annually to address the highest income inequality and lowest economic mobility rates in the United States.
Sean Keenan reports on the new ordinance, authored by councilmembers Matt Westmoreland with the backing of eight other city leaders, including two mayoral candidates.
"To put this all in perspective, if this measure were effective today, it would pull some $14 million of the city’s roughly $710 million budget for housing affordability initiatives, such as erecting new units and renovating existing ones," writes Keenan. The spending will be phased in, ramping up to the 2 percent total by 2025.
"The idea of an affordable housing trust fund isn’t new, as Councilman [Antonio] Brown pointed out to Atlanta Civic Circle in an interview. It’s been discussed for years, recommended by advocacy group HouseATL in 2018 and incorporated into Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’s One Atlanta: Housing Affordability Action Plan in 2019."
FULL STORY: Atlanta officials consider devoting 2 percent of municipal budget to affordable housing trust fund
How Atlanta Plans to Overhaul Zoning for Housing Affordability
The "Atlanta City Design: Housing" initiative is one of the most ambitious planning reform efforts of any large U.S. city, but it's just getting started.
First Wave of Affordable Housing Bonds Ratified in Atlanta
A down payment on a $100 million investment in affordable housing is moving forward in Atlanta.
Atlanta Launching Affordable Housing Development Program for City-Owned Land
The Atlanta Department of City Planning has identified 877 acres of land on 490 parcels for potential affordable housing development.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie