About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 2020)
LOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 - 15, 2020 • PAGE 6 f DECATUR Affordable housing recommendations to be reviewed by Decatur commission BY ASIA ASHLEY Asia@dekalbchamp.com With scarce property remaining for development in the city of Decatur and population increasing, future affordable housing options is an area city leaders hope to embrace in the city’s planning efforts. Elke Davidson, chair of the Decatur Affordable Housing Task Force, presented the 26-member task force’s findings to the Decatur City Commission Dec. 16, stating the city has faced affordable housing challenges similar to other communities nationwide such as new construction disproportionately serving the affluent, limited housing subsidies, gentrification pushing out people of lower income, housing costs rising faster than income, and wages remaining stagnant as rents rise. Decatur’s population increased more than 30 percent from 2010 to 2019, compared to the 12 percent increase for the metro Atlanta area during that timeframe. “Population growth is significant and is going to continue,” said Davidson. “Over the last 10 years, we didn’t have the public policies in place to ensure that we could bend a portion Decatur Housing Authority’s Trinity Walk apartments are one of few affordable housing complexes within the city of Decatur. (File Photo) of that new housing to the needs of low-to-moderate income folks. We are now at a tipping point where we need to have those policies in place.” The average home price in the city of Decatur in 2018 was more than half a million dollars, according to First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS). The cost of land in the city of Decatur exceeds that of metro Atlanta averages at $1.5-$2 million per acre and the tear-down value of a home is between $300,000- $400,000. Syreeta Campbell, a member of the task force, said the average measure of affordable housing is housing that costs no more than 30 percent of annual gross income. In Decatur, 49 percent of renters and 24 percent of homeowners spend more than 30 percent of income on housing, she said. That task force’s data shows that only 4 percent of the city’s population both live and work in Decatur. Most of those who work in Decatur such as home care providers or daycare workers, who may make as little as $16,000 per year, and teachers who may make as little as $45,000 could not afford the median two- bedroom rental in Decatur, which FMLS reports is about $2,275. Families of four making at least 80 percent of the area median income at $63,760 would realistically be able to afford buy a home costing $198,260. However, the average cost of a townhome or condo in the city of Decatur is $343,946 and $663,440 for a single family home. “These are people that have to travel in to support our residents. We did find that there were some affordable units, just not enough to fit the future need,” said Campbell. Over the next 10 years, the report indicates the city needs to develop at least 90 affordable housing units to accommodate those making 30 to 60 percent of the area median income per year, and 100 “workforce” units to accommodate those making 60 to 120 percent of the area median income. In addition, the more than 900 existing affordable housing and workforce units in the city would need to be preserved along Decatur Housing Authority properties. “[The estimate] will not fix the problem but will get us to serving our existing residents but not to take care of any future residents or anyone moving in,” Campbell said. Tom Atkinson, task force member, said among the solutions to affordable housing that the task force is recommending is a voluntary tax abatement for complexes that agree to limit their rents to at least 80 percent and below AMI, amendment to the city’s code for RS-17 zoned properties, reducing lots size subdivision ordinance to encourage smaller duplexes or triplexes. The task force plans to submit its final report to the city commission by late January. Recommendations in the report will serve as a basis for decisions in the city’s 2020 Strategic Plan Update. to hospital after massive Christmas Day house fire Three transported BY ASIA ASHLEY Asia@dekalbchamp.com A house fire in Lithonia on Christmas Day led to three people being transported to area hospitals. DeKalb County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Dion Bentley said fire and emergency medical personnel responded to the home in the 5300 block of Timor Trail in Lithonia just before 6:30 p.m. Bentley said the home is considered a complete loss and the fire is believed to have started in the garage. All persons in the home were transported for medical care: one person was deemed critically injured from bums; another person sustained minor-to-moderate injuries; and a third person was transported to a hospital for a medical issue not related to the fire, according to Bentley. The fire also caused damage to a neighboring home. No update has been provided on the status of the victims. Danella Hughes, regional disaster officer for American Red Cross of Georgia, said Red Cross volunteers provided emotional support, including disaster mental health services, and also assisted with emergency resources to the family. Later that evening, firefighters also responded to an extensive fire on S. Hairston Road in Stone Mountain around 11 p.m. No injuries were reported during the incident. Hughes said the emotional support, clothing and medications were provided to the family of two. “Our hearts go out to everyone involved in these home fire-related tragedies,” said Hughes. “We are just so grateful for our dedicated volunteers, who stand ready to help 24/7/365 — even on Christmas Day.”
