affordable housing
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Athens-Clarke County
Nonprofit Hope 139 Provides Homes, Support for Mothers
Hope 139, a nonprofit that provides residences and resources for mothers who are at risk or pregnant, plans to open its first three cottages in north Athens this summer. Shelley Tanner, a University of Georgia graduate who holds a degree in nursing from Emory University and has volunteered with Mercy…
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens Mayoral Candidates Talk Issues in February Debate
Candidates for Athens mayor — Mara Zuniga, Tim Denson, Dexter Fisher and Lakeisha Gantt — faced off at a public forum at Ciné on Feb. 7. Immigration enforcement, rapid growth and homelessness emerged as key issues shaping the future of Athens. Hosted by AthChat podcast co-hosts Drew Abney and Russell…
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Housing
Historic Athens Program Repairs Houses to Make Reparations
Donna Archibald was born and raised in Athens, but when she needed to replace her roof, she found her ability to stay in her home threatened. “I would have had to struggle and pay for it myself because my insurance company turned me down,” Archibald said. “If I had to…
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Q&As
Q&A: ‘Not Enough Money’ to Meet Athens-Clarke County Affordable Housing Need
Melinda Lord, director of housing and community development in Athens-Clarke County, discusses how the local government plans to address the current housing crisis. Q: Can you provide an overview of the current housing crisis in Athens-Clarke County, and how does it compare to trends at the state and national level?…
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Athens-Clarke County
Mayor Girtz Proposes $1 Million for Affordable Housing, Promotes Future Land Use Plan
Athens’ population is expected to increase by about 30,000 residents over the next 20 years, which includes the students expected to enroll in UGA’s forthcoming School of Medicine. The Athens-Clarke County Commission and Mayor Kelly Girtz are working on a Future Land Use Plan that will help determine zoning and…
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Athens-Clarke County
As Rent and Housing Costs Rise in Athens, Land Trust Opens Doors
At 145 Cannon Drive in Athens, a sky blue house sits empty, awaiting a new family. In Athens, the average home value is $249,947, but this three-bedroom, two-bath house is priced at $96,000. “You hear about the housing crisis, and it’s not a crisis for everyone, so maybe there’s…
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Athens-Clarke County
A Win For Affordable Housing: Inclusionary Development Charge One Step Closer to Reality
The push for more affordable housing in Athens has reached a significant moment, as the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission agreed to submit their response to Mayor Girtz’s Inclusionary Development Charge during their meeting on Oct. 8. The Inclusionary Development Charge, which was originally created in Fall of 2019 and presented…
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Athens-Clarke County
Digesting Transit: Marilyn Appleby of Athens Housing Authority Explains Ideas, Obstacles
This is one of several Solutions Journalism stories published through a Grady capstone course that reported on housing issues during the fall of 2018. For residents who are mobility impaired, or without a car at Jessie B. Denney Tower in Athens Ga., a simple trip to the grocery store or other…
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Athens-Clarke County
Young Urban Builders Provides Opportunities for West Broad Neighborhood, Students
This is one of several Solutions Journalism stories published through a Grady capstone course that reported on housing issues during the fall of 2018. Young Urban Builders, a new program from Athens Land Trust, employs high school students to repair homes that may have title or other issues that keep them…
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Athens-Clarke County
A Growing Population: Expanding the Senior Care Model in Athens
With the baby boomer generation aging, the number of elderly citizens of the United States is expected to grow significantly. Because of this, more living arrangements are available for elderly people seeking to retire, including assisted living facilities, home care and nursing homes. However, the cost and accessibility of these…