Housing
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Abrams Weighs In On Housing Concerns, Kemp Remains Quiet
Housing policy affects the places people live, the schools they attend, the jobs they can access and many other aspects of day-to-day life. But will it affect the outcome of the upcoming election for Georgia’s governor? On Nov. 6, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and former Georgia House of…
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Discrimination in Athens: Big Problem, Little Evidence
According to residents, Athens, Georgia has been home to discriminatory practices, a broad issue which originated from the downtown area and spread outward. Mokah-Jasmine Johnson, educator and president of Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), explained how the organization started as a response to an incident that occurred involving a bar downtown allegedly…
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Athens Housing Market Struggles to Accomodate Growing Demand
The median selling price for houses in Athens, Georgia, has increased almost $40,000 in the last five years, according to Trulia’s Athens Housing Market Trend report. Housing in Athens is increasingly scarce at any price point. Zoning issues, lack of new construction and increased demand all contribute to this trend. …
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Sororities Invest Big Money in Housing
While driving down South Milledge Avenue in Athens, Georgia, it is impossible not to notice the massive houses lining both sides of the street. Most of these homes belong to one of the 19 Panhellenic sorority chapters that the University of Georgia hosts. Not only are these buildings stunningly beautiful,…
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Athens Accommodation: How Airbnb Could Be Affecting the Classic City
To say that Uber and Lyft haven’t changed the face of transportation and catching a ride would be a lie, or just terribly misinformed. It’s hard to imagine the ride-hailing and ride-sharing services disappearing into thin air after they have made such an impact and have become incredibly recognizable. The…
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Affordable Housing Event Explores Stigmas, Complexity of Issue
For Robert Hughes, founding partner and principal of the Atlanta-based design company HGOR, the problem of affordable housing is a “multi-headed beast” to solve. Each year, HGOR funds a lecture or panel event for the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design, and this year’s discussion focused on affordable…
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Athens-Based Food Rescue Program Enters New County, Breaking Records
The Full Plate program delivered approximately 161,562 pounds of food to agencies in need in 2017, and they are on track to deliver more than 200,000 pounds in 2018. These estimates come from ACTION, Inc., the parent nonprofit organization that began Full Plate. The program was started because “someone’s basic…
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Athens-Clarke County Looks to Improve Fair Housing Issues with Incoming Mayor
With Kelly Girtz preparing to start his first term as mayor of Athens-Clarke County, the city is planning to make a more dedicated effort to solve fair housing issues. In 2016, a study done by APD Solutions Consulting concluded that the city is not building enough affordable homes for single families.…
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A Changing Town: What Revitalization Looks Like in Athens
As the smallest county in Georgia with the oldest public university, Athens-Clarke County utilizes revitalization to balance the community’s historic value with modern development. Before redevelopment construction can even begin, there are considerations of historic preservation and sustainability. The process of planning is a long one. Rehabilitation is a multifaceted…
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Food Insecurity in Athens Is A Bigger Issue Than Many Realize
The food insecurity rate in Athens-Clarke County was 22 percent in 2016, according to Feeding America’s annual “Map the Meal Gap” project. Clarke County has approximately 26,340 food-insecure individuals, according to Feeding America data from 2016. Approximately 70 percent are below 130 percent poverty, which means individuals in this bracket…