Housing
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Differing Definitions: What It Really Means to Be ‘Sustainable’
Many believe people should invest in more sustainable practices for the sake of our planet. What it really means to be ‘sustainable,’ however, is less clear. “Sustainability is probably one of the most overused words. Most people just throw it around,” said Jack Crowley, a professor in the University of…
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Abundant Life: Director Helps Those in Homelessness Climb Farther ‘Up The Mountain’
This is one of several Solutions Journalism stories published through a Grady capstone course that reported on housing issues during the fall of 2018. Andrew Wilkin is the executive director of Bigger Vision Community Shelter in Athens, Ga. He’s also the man who started the shelter’s new program called Abundant Life. The…
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Progressive Vision for Athens: Part IV, Housing
In the fourth and final part of this series, Alex Marchante discusses Athens mayor-elect Kelly Girtz’s plan on improving affordable housing in the city. Guest Curator Selections 1.
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Renters Can Take Heavy Losses Without Fire Insurance in Georgia
As fires torch northern California, those living in Athens, Ga., may wonder what kinds of fire protections renters here have. In 2017, one fire fatality was reported in Athens with 400 fire incidents total reported in Athens-Clarke County, according to Athens Clarke-County Fire and Emergency Services. There were an estimated 85…
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Living in Atmosphere of Studentification in Athens-Clarke County: UGA Students Drive Demand, Affect Historic Districts
With more than 30,000 students attending the University of Georgia, there is a growing demand for off-campus living. The supply of housing for students has increased at an exponential rate since 1955, but it may be at the expense of small businesses as well as locals who have lived in…
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Your Lease, Decoded: Know What You Are Signing When Entering Into Rental Contract
In a college town like Athens, Ga., renting is abundant. When renting a home or apartment, you must sign a lease, or a contract renting the property for a specified term for a specified rent. But how well do you understand the lease that you are signing? One resource…
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West Hancock Neighborhood Meeting Highlights Residents’ Concerns About Zoning Changes
Melissa Link, the commissioner for the West Hancock neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, said she struggled to have a majority of the commissioners and the mayor agree that the West Hancock Neighborhood is worth saving. “I did a lot of kicking and screaming and forced this [study] to happen by assuring that…
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New Development Proposal in East Athens Raises Concerns Among Some Current Residents
Smith Planning Group submitted a proposal to develop a three-acre lot in East Athens to build 13 new homes, three of which would be considered affordable housing and developed through Athens Land Trust. This new development proposal, which would be built along Dublin Street, raised concerns among some residents of…
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What Housing Means: One Man Uses His Foundation to Build Up Others
Shane Simms, a native of Athens, Ga., moved back to his hometown with the goal to “work good” where he had once “worked bad.” Simms successfully transitioned from being incarcerated to being a two-time homeowner, as well as a businessman; he now works as a chaplain for the Athens-Clarke County…
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Oconee Street School: Old Building Gets a New Future
Students have not walked the hallways of the Oconee Street School building in almost 50 years, but that could change as soon as August. The brick building was built in 1908, and since the school stopped sessions around 1971, occupancy has been unsteady. After close to 15 years of…