The work of housing the region's most vulnerable, low-income populations has seen some very positive developments in early 2024. Terri Lee was selected to lead Atlanta Housing; the City of Atlanta and its partners successfully executed a homelessness rapid rehousing project using an innovative approach that could serve as a model for the future; and affordable housing topics abound at the Georgia State Capitol. We'll discuss all these developments at the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum on Tuesday, March 5.

 

Fireside Chat with Terri Lee, Newly Named CEO of Atlanta Housing 

 

At the January Atlanta Housing Board of Directors meeting, Terri Lee was officially named the new CEO of the region's largest housing authority. Lee was named Atlanta Housing's Chief Operating Officer in October 2020 and served as Chief Housing Officer, Deputy Commissioner, and Director of the Office of Housing for the City before joining Atlanta Housing.

 

"Terri Lee is an exceptional leader with a long and distinguished career in affordable housing. Her extensive knowledge of housing policy, operations and a deep connection to residents and love for Atlanta make her the right person at the right time to lead Atlanta Housing," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. "Both I and members of my administration look forward to working closely with her to accelerate my goal of building and preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing in eight years."

 

At our next Forum, Terri will sit down with Forum founder and moderator Bill Bolling to discuss her vision for Atlanta Housing.

 

The Melody's Innovative Approach to Tackling Homelessness

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January also saw the opening of the City of Atlanta's innovative rapid rehousing project, named "The Melody" – in memory of Melody Bloodworth, a homeless woman who died in November 2022. The project is a partnership between the City of Atlanta, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Partners for HOME, and a long list of other organizations to create 40 units of transitional housing fabricated using shipping containers on public land in downtown Atlanta.

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The Melody project is just the start. Mayor Andre Dickens says the City has a goal of 500 units. Talks are underway for a similar project on Northside Drive near the City's water reservoir.

 

Our March 5 Forum will include a panel discussion on how the initiative was developed and executed. Panelists include Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME; Darion Dunn, Managing Partner of Atlantica Properties; and Chatiqua Ellison, Director of Special Projects with the City of Atlanta.

 

2024 Legislative Update with Elizabeth Appley

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As reported by Atlanta Civic Circle's Sean Keenan in early January, proposed legislation impacting affordable housing will likely see much attention in the current Georgia legislative session. House Bill 404, the "Safe at Home Act," passed the state House last year but didn't receive a vote in the Senate. The legislation is being revisited in the 2024 session and passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 12. Attorney and housing advocate Elizabeth Appley will return to the Forum to provide the latest update on this and other proposed legislation.

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Join us as we discuss these important developments on March 5 at the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum.

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