City Commission takes swift action following release of Affordable Housing Task Force Report

The Decatur Affordable Housing Task Force Report, presented to the city in February 2020, lays out 23 recommended policies, programs, and initiatives for the creation and preservation of affordable and workforce housing in the City of Decatur.

Among those recommendations is Inclusionary Zoning (IZ), a quick win proposition on which the City Commission could take immediate action. In July 2021, just five months later, they did so.

The new ordinance requires all new residential developments of at least five dwelling units to set aside 10 percent of those units for households making less than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) for rental units, or less than 120 percent AMI for for-purchase units.

The Halo East Decatur mixed-use project at 725 E. College Avenue, breaking ground in 2023, will be the first project subject to the ordinance. At least 37 of its for-rent units will be affordable to those earning below 80% of the area median income.