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If executed thoughtfully, transformative development and special events have the potential to have a lasting impact on affordable housing, including homelessness.

Development: Centennial Yards, previously known as The Gulch, aims to develop four million square feet of office space, 1,000 hotel rooms, nearly 1,000 residential units, retail and entertainment venues, public green spaces, and civic facilities for police and fire services – all by 2030. The Stitch is a proposed project to cap the Downtown Connector with a 14-acre park, reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the highway. The plan calls for 30% of new and existing housing within a half mile of the project to be designated as affordable. The new South Downtown owners are working to reimagine 57 buildings across 16 acres in the historic center of Downtown Atlanta.

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Advocates are hopeful that downtown developments can deliver on affordable housing estimates, but they have concerns about a lack of enforceable mechanisms, potential for displacement, the definition of “affordable,” and transparency.

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Events: Atlanta will be a host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl in 2028, and the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in 2031. 

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Affordable housing advocates would like to see an intentional effort to minimize impact on vulnerable populations, while maximizing these developments and events to better serve low-income housing needs.

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Suggested strategies related to development activity and/or special events include: continue/increase the utilization of public land for affordable housing, implementing enforceable inclusionary zoning, ensure that fees collected in lieu of on-site affordable units are sufficient and directly fund affordable housing projects, establish dedicated revenue streams to support housing specifically for very low income households, and engage the community with public participation and community benefits agreements.

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Our Founder and Moderator, Bill Bolling, will kick off our topic with a panel conversation featuring:

• Atlanta City Councilmember Jason Dozier (District 4)

• Sherman Golden, Senior Counsel with Thompson Hine

• Cathern Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME

Following our panel presentation, we'll have a conversation with

• Dr. Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber

• A.J. Robinson, President, Central Atlanta Progress

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Join us as we talk with experts about leveraging these opportunities to improve access to affordable housing for all.

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PRESENTERS

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Bill Bolling, Founder & Moderator, Atlanta Regional Housing Forum.

• Atlanta City Councilmember Jason Dozier 

• Sherman Golden, Thompson Hine

• Cathern Vassell, Partners for HOME

• Dr. Jerry Parrish, Metro Atlanta Chamber

• A.J. Robinson, Central Atlanta Progress

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DOWNLOADS & LINKS

Slides from 6/4/25 Forum