Day-Long Event Puts Focus on Housing Affordability
The City of Decatur invited the broader community to contribute to a conversation on inclusive and affordable housing, Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.
The day-long Summit helped attendees establish a shared understanding of Decatur’s housing context, define the often subjective term affordability as it relates to Decatur, explore viable approaches and strategies, and conclude with ways for all participants to be a part of local solutions.
Report
Summary Report (7mb PDF)
Presented to the City Commission on December 17, 2018.
Displays
Market Snapshot
What do we look like collectively? How and what do we pay for housing?
Where’s the Affordable Housing?
38% of Decatur’s present housing supply targets those below the median income. Here’s where those units are located.
Missing Middle Found
In many areas of Decatur where historic examples of “missing middle” housing still exist, affordable units integrate comfortably within residential neighborhoods, hidden in plain view. This look at Drexel Avenue demonstrates.
Regulatory Efforts
2014’s overhaul of the City’s development regulations included some efforts specifically addressing more affordable housing scenarios. Did these efforts go far enough?
What Does It Cost?
The income required to live in Decatur depends significantly on the type of home you want, and whether you own or rent.
Who’s Underserved?
Where are the gaps in our housing market? Who can find a home here, and who can’t?
Speakers
Ann Carpenter
Senior Community and Economic Development Advisor
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Building a Context for Affordable Housing
Download Ann’s presentation slides here.
Richelle Patton
Principal, Tapestry Development Group
Cost Considerations to Develop Housing
Download Richelle’s presentation slides here.
Sarah Kirsch
Executive Director, ULI Atlanta
Eric Kronberg
Principal, Kronberg Wall Architects
Affordable Housing Tools and Innovative Solutions
Download presentation slides here (Sarah) and here (Eric).
Materials
Event Program
Affordable Housing Toolbox Cards
Media Coverage
Looking for the ‘Missing Middle’ — Decatur faces hard choices on affordable housing
Decaturish, November 12, 2018
News Posts
A reverse chronological listing of news posts related to the Housing Summit can be found here.