With a new wave of transit and active transportation investment coming to Atlanta, thanks to two new sales taxes, advocates are mobilizing to ensure that the investments won't leave low-income residents behind. It's a concept worth considering.
Angie Schmitt reports on an emerging political cause in Atlanta that would devote an allotment of revenue from the city's new transit funding sales tax for housing affordability.
According to Schmitt, "Nathaniel Smith at the Partnership for Southern Equity is leading a campaign to reserve 5 percent of the transit money — about $120 million — for a fund to subsidize housing near transit."
The 5 percent would go toward a "Living Transit Fund," which could be used for land acquisition, pre-development costs, or construction costs by for below-market housing. The Partnership for Southern Equity estimates the fund would support the development of 2,500 below-market rate units. "If the fund’s resources are paired with federal programs like HUD’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, as many as 5,400 below-market units could be built," adds Schmitt.
FULL STORY: Atlanta Advocates Campaign to Set Aside Some Transit Funding to Keep Housing Affordable Near New Lines
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
Beltline Surpasses Annual Affordable Housing Goal
The Atlanta Beltline agency is actively working to prevent the displacement of longtime residents along the trail system, where property values are rising rapidly.
Mixed-Use Project Planned for Southeast Atlanta Neighborhood
A nonprofit-led housing development will include 72 housing units and retail space.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions