Coalition for a Diverse DeKalb

Great reporting by the AJC on the need for safe affordable housing in Atlanta.

Violent apartment complexes in metro Atlanta follow a similar business model A yearlong investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution identified more than 250 chronically dangerous apartment complexes in metro Atlanta.

How much do you need to make to afford a modest 2 bedroom apartment in Georgia? $19.42/hr. At minimum wage, you would need to work 107 hours per week. Breaking down the obstacles to increase affordable housing is imperative.

Out Of Reach shows how difficult it is for renters to find affordable housing. Find out how much a renter must earn to afford a modest home at http://reports.nlihc.org/oor

Developers hold groundbreaking ceremony for affordable housing project near Kensington MARTA station More affordable housing is coming to DeKalb County. Construction of 244 affordable housing units has started across the street from the Kensington MARTA station. The development will feature a contemporary design that will provide one, two and three bedroom apartments for families.

Take a few minutes to complete the DeKalb 2050 Unified Plan Survey.

Project Overview
The DeKalb County 2050 Unified Plan will combine two of the County’s long-range plans into one: a Comprehensive Transportation Plan that identifies priority transportation projects and policy recommendations and a Comprehensive Land Use Plan that establishes the framework for future growth and development. Transportation and land use investments have a direct impact on one another, so the combined plan will create a more consistent, unified strategy. The combined plan will address arts and culture, housing, health and wellness, public safety, sustainability, retail, and annexation.

The recommendations of this planning process will help DeKalb leadership determine which transportation projects to pursue for both local funding opportunities and state and federal dollars. The Plan will also include recommendations within unincorporated DeKalb activity centers for the types of growth and development that may occur based on new market realities and trends.

DEKALB 2050 Unified Plan The DeKalb County 2050 Unified Plan will combine two of the County’s long-range plans into one: a Comprehensive Transportation Plan that identifies priority transportation projects and policy recommendations and a Comprehensive Land Use Plan that establishes the framework for future growth and dev...

Join us Wednesday, June 9th at 10am for the groundbreaking ceremony of Phoenix Station- 244 affordable apartments being built at the Kensington MARTA Station.

ACTION ALERT: GA House Bill 713 aims to reduce street homelessness, yet penalizes people experiencing homeless and sets GA up for failure by risking loss of HUD funds.

The solution isn’t homeless camps, it’s affordable housing. See the info attached and contact your reps!

Info about the bill: https://diversedekalb.org/resources/
Email template for legislators:

Sample Email H.B. 713 My name is [your name] and I’m a resident of [insert city name] in district [insert district number]. I'm writing today to express my objection to House Bill 713. I understand the intent of the legislation is to reduce homelessness, but the provisions in the bill will do no such thing.

TONIGHT 6:30: Join us for our monthly meeting! Tonight we'll be joined by Shelly Fine from A Home For Everyone in DeKalb. We'll also share general updates. Message us if you need Zoom details. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Today is the last day to register for financial assistance!

DeKalb to close applications for rental assistance after 7,000 people apply Monday, Feb. 22, will be the last day that tenants and landlords can apply for financial help through the DeKalb Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) program, a press release says. The online application will close at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22.

TONIGHT 6:30pm: Join us for our monthly meeting! We'll be joined by guest speaker Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, the President and CEO of Georgia Advancing Communities Together. She'll share legislative updates and we'll all join in discussion.

Please message us if you need Zoom meeting details!

Home WELCOME to Georgia ACT About Us Georgia Advancing Communities Together, Inc. (Georgia ACT) is a statewide membership organization of nonprofit housing and community development organizations. Our mission is to build, support, and inform a statewide network of thriving organizations, professionals, a...

This just in: DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced receipt of a multimillion-dollar grant from the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance program. CEO Thurmond has convened a Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition comprised of public and nonprofit partners. The coalition will provide financial relief to DeKalb renters threatened by eviction and landlords facing revenue losses—both due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OPEN CALL: Our friends at A Home For Everyone In DeKalb are asking for our help in finding housing for our Decatur individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. This is about really affordable housing.

A Home for Everyone in DeKalb is currently trying to find and develop very affordable homes for singles and families and have established a committee to pursue such a plan. They currently need help with the following:

1. People with special skills in lobbying, real estate, zoning etc. who can help with this campaign and/or join the committee.

2. Properties in Decatur and DeKalb County, including churches, to house small modular units, mobile homes, trailers etc.

3. Assistance with securing modifications to Decatur and DeKalb ordinances to allow small modular units for housing.

4. Buildings that can be transformed into tiny efficiency units.

5. City and County residents who are willing to put such a modular unit on their property.

6. Individuals to approach the City of Decatur to do a pilot project of 2 or 3 of these units at Legacy Park with the City providing hook ups to utilities.

This is an exciting project, and if you feel like you can help, reach out to [email protected].

DeKalb County homeless assistance | A Home for Everyone in DeKalb A Home for Everyone in DeKalb is a volunteer-led initiative that provides emergency cold weather shelters and rapid rehousing assistance for those experiencing homelessness in DeKalb County (Georgia).

Our team of Emory Fellows are currently working on a housing inventory, cataloguing available housing and rent prices in the Clairmont and North Decatur area. As they wrap up their data collection and begin drawing up a report for the Coalitions, they would appreciate some community feedback for their project. If you have any experience with housing in the area or want to share feedback, check out the google form below.
https://forms.gle/ecmPcvykSLuB4qeA6

Clifton Corridor Housing Inventory Feedback This semester, the Emory fellows are working with the Coalitions to complete a housing study of the Clifton Corridor area. Our study seeks to determine the current conditions and availability of rental housing in the area. We aim to build an inventory of available rental properties including apartme...

TONIGHT 6:30pm: Join us for our first meeting of the year! We'll share updates, discuss our plans for the year, and chat about goals for the future. Come out and let us know what we need to focus on in 2021! Reach out below if you need Zoom details!

Happy new year! Please join us for our next Coalition meeting, Tuesday, January 19 at 6:30pm via Zoom. We will kick off the new year by sharing brief updates from both Coalitions and then hold a listening session for our members to share their concerns, goals for the future and where our Coalitions should focus energy in 2021! Contact Phillip Cuffey ([email protected]) for Zoom meeting details!

TONIGHT 4-6PM: Affordable housing discussion with the City of Decatur Strategic Plan 202 Roundtable! Your comments and participation will help shape the next decade of affordable housing planning! (Note: you must reside in Decatur 30030.)

Register via Zoom or participate by phone: 312-626-6799 | Meeting ID: 965 6171 3801

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Decatur Strategic Plan 202s: Housing. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Decatur Strategic Plan 202s: Housing. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

TOMORROW 4-6 PM: Join the City of Decatur Strategic Plan 202 Roundtable to discuss affordable housing! Participation in this meeting is important, as comments will be incorporated into the Strategic Plan, impacting housing planning for the next 10 years! Note: you must reside in Decatur 30030.

Register and attend on Zoom: https://decatur2030.com/the-decatur-202s/
Participate via phone: 312-626-6799 | Meeting ID: 965 6171 3801

Decatur 202s | Destination:2030 We’re drilling down on the topics that emerged from our Citizen Roundtables. First discussed in the Citizen Roundtables, then tested through the ongoing Virtual Forums, we’ve identified a range of potential priorities to be further explored in online sessions we’re calling the Decatur 202s. Th...

Happy Friday! We're once again plugging the DeKalb County 2021 Comprehensive Plan 5 Year Update Survey. Don't forget to complete the survey ASAP! Your voice--and support for safe & accessible affordable housing--is needed!
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx...

Microsoft Forms

Happy Monday! We hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Don't forget to complete the DeKalb County 2021 Comprehensive Plan 5 Year Update Survey! Your voice--and support for safe & accessible affordable housing--is needed!
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=J1UtKf-r_0W8krHbEDdge-5zzAne4ZpGsa2R6nRLUb5UNzVHMEU5WkhJSlYzNVRMMVdIMzFGWEdQWiQlQCN0PWcu&fbclid=IwAR393k0CXL9EX4d6hBgHVw550rawhQ4BJlfwBlngrkJbq5C5cnkUnMVkspY

Microsoft Forms

The DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department just launched a survey to gather information for the 2035 Comprehensive Plan 5 Year Update! This plan covers important elements such as land use, county and local plans, and community goals, among many others. This survey is a great opportunity to share your input and advocate for affordable housing! Share with your neighbors too!

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=J1UtKf-r_0W8krHbEDdge-5zzAne4ZpGsa2R6nRLUb5UNzVHMEU5WkhJSlYzNVRMMVdIMzFGWEdQWiQlQCN0PWcu

Microsoft Forms

Speaker Spotlight: Sara Patenaude.

Our own Sara Patenaude will be sharing information with us tonight about the Housing Justice League, an organization that works to defend tenant rights and preserve affordable housing in Atlanta. She'll be sharing information about their current work in South DeKalb.

We're excited to hear from Sara tonight at 6:30 pm about what the HJL is working on in Atlanta. Need zoom meeting info? Email [email protected].

Read about HJL's current initiative here: https://housingjustice.controlshift.app/petitions/former-governor-roy-barnes-is-a-slumlord-his-tenants-demand-an-end-to-his-human-rights-violations

HJL's website: https://www.housingjusticeleague.org/

Housing Justice League Support housing justice by volunteering with our non-profit organization. We have volunteering opportunities for: canvassing community members, managing social media content, fundraising, write for our blog, attend events, and more.

Speaker Spotlight: David Park of Open Table Community Church.

David Park is the Pastor at Open Table Community Church, located in Brookhaven. Open Table Community is committed to diversity, engagement, and hospitality within the Atlanta community.

We're excited for David to join us at our meeting tonight at 6:30 to share updates on affordable housing at the Doraville Assembly Developments. As always, reach out to [email protected] if you need zoom info!

Open Table Community Welcome to the table!Whatever your race, political affiliation, immigration status, income level, gender, or life situation, we want to share a meal and discover together what God has for you. We are a diverse family who gathers to celebrate and participate in God’s work in our lives and our neigh...

Speaker spotlight: Atticus LeBlanc, founder of PadSplit.

PadSplit was founded in 2017 to leverage housing as a vehicle for financial independence for low-income workers. PadSplit offers memberships that provide access to a private room with furniture, utilities, internet, and laundry usage all in one fixed, weekly payment. The rooms are hosted by outside property owners or managers. PadSplit facilitates the relationship by processing all payments, screening, background checks and ratings.

We're looking forward to hearing from Atticus at our meeting tomorrow at 6:30 pm. Message us if you need the zoom info!

Atticus' s bio: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/bio/atticus-leblanc

PadSplit's website: https://www.padsplit.com/

PadSplit PadSplit offers clean, modern furnished rooms for rent to community members at an affordable weekly fee, including utilities, WiFi, laundry access, 24/7 telemedicine service and more. See available homes today.

Save the date! Join us for our upcoming meeting (the last of year!) this Tuesday at 6:30pm. We have a fantastic lineup of speakers including Atticus LeBlanc of PadSplit, Pastor David Parks from Open Table Community Church, and our own Sara Patenaude.

We're looking forward to this exciting community conversation. If you need the zoom link, please email [email protected].

The Housing Authority of the City of Decatur (DHA) has the Housing Choice Voucher program open through 11:59 pm TODAY. Applicants must apply online. See below for more details.

Waiting List The Housing Authority of the City of Decatur, Georgia (DHA) will open its waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8). It will be open from 12:01 am on October 26, 2020 through 11:59 pm October 30, 2020, five (5) days only. No applications will be accepted before 12:01 a...

Do you or someone you know need help with rent or mortgage payments? With the Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program, residents in the City of Atlanta may be eligible for assistance with rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills. You can find more info at the Emergency Housing Program website below or visit our resources page (https://diversedekalb.org/resources/).

Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Assistance The City of Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program is available to City of Atlanta residents ONLY. Funds may be used to cover past due rent, utilities, mortgage and security deposits as a result of impending eviction. At the end of the application you will be required to upload docume...

Miss our meeting last week? No worries, you can read the minutes on our website!

Last week we heard from Craig Taylor, an affordable housing developer who led a discussion about current challenges facing affordable housing development. We also heard from Will Styles from the Metro Atlanta DSA, who discussed rental assistance & tenant rights in the greater Decatur area.

When – DiverseDeKalb.org Meeting Notices and Minutes Coalition meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at North Decatur Presbyterian Church. Meetings are open to the public. Transportation assistance may be provided upon request. october 20, 2020 meeting It was great to see everyone who attended our last m...

Don't forget our monthly meeting with Coalition for a Diverse Decatur tonight at 6:30! We welcome anyone interested in learning more about affordable housing and the impact on our community. We meet via Zoom. Please email [email protected] (Phil Cuffey – one of our co-chairs) if you need the link to attend. See you soon!

On our website now: the Moving Forward Report, a culmination of a summer of research and inquiry into possibilities for equitable transit oriented development at the Kensington MARTA Station. What do community members want from new development? How can we make sure that new development serves all our neighbors? Click below to read the report in full:

Resources – DiverseDeKalb.org resources "Moving forward" report During the summer of 2020, a team from Emory University’s Community Building and Social Change Fellowship Program investigated the potential for transit-oriented development while preserving affordable housing around the Kensington MARTA Station. The team identifi...

The American Public Health Association is hosting this FREE webinar October 14th. Yes! Housing is a Human Right!

Housing is a Human Right The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with the webinar audience. The webinar will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing on APHA’s website within a week of the live event.