Southface Institute: Blog

The 2020 Enterprise Green Communities Criteria established standards for affordable housing based on construction practices that consider all aspects of a healthy living environment. Standards are organized around five essential themes, including integrated design, which brings all stakeholders into the planning process.

In this moment of social transformation, with the country and Atlanta in protest against police brutality, racially driven murder and the structural racism that has impacted the Black community for centuries, the need for development in our cities that recognizes potential displacement and needs of existing residents is more vital than ever.

With 38 million Americans spending over 30% of their income on housing, access to attainable housing is not only about having a place to live. ZIP code can also determine a resident's access to education, healthcare, healthy food, public transportation, and even a person’s life span.

For most of us, hunger can be solved by a trip to the kitchen. Mealtimes often revolve around planned ingredients, thoughtfully purchased during weekly grocery runs, or include impromptu restaurant visits. But for many Atlantans, food is an expense that has to take a backseat to more pressing needs. For these individuals and families, there isn’t regular access to adequate or affordable food—it’s a chronic problem known as food insecurity.

April is National Fair Housing Month, a perfect time to shine light on Atlanta’s affordable housing challenges. Like many cities in a rapidly urbanizing area, Atlanta’s growth and increasing desirability come at the cost of its affordable housing options. As housing prices steadily rise, the options for lower- and middle-income Atlantans become fewer. But there are promising options for attainable solutions in Atlanta’s growth—housing that is both high-performance and affordably priced.

We've updated and reposted this 2016 article to further the exchange happening this week for the 100 Great Ideas campaign, in which Atlanta community actors of all kinds are joining together to brainstorm ways to improve the city’s housing equity. Atlanta loses 1,500 affordable homes each year, and housing costs have increased by 48 percent since 2010. Join the conversation and share your ideas on the campaign’s Facebook page from April 8-12.

Most intown Atlantans know that housing prices are rising and some rents have risen by as much as 70 percent. This means less affordable housing across the city for those …

Continue reading "High Performance Without the High Price Tag"

Atlanta has long struggled to provide sustainable infrastructure and transit options to all residents, businesses and commuters, particularly its most vulnerable communities on the west and south sides of the …

Continue reading "Step Up For Atlanta: The Living Transit Fund And A Path To A New Atlanta Way"