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BUSINESS
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - 14, 2022 • PAGE 10
Seminar reviews multiple approaches to affordable housing issue
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
The availability of
housing that is both
affordable and in good
condition was a common
need identified by
stakeholders, particularly for
low- and moderate-income
households, in the National
Low Income Housing
Coalition's most recent Out
of Reach report.
Much is being done to
address the issue in DeKalb
County, according to DeKalb
County Commissioner
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson,
who recently hosted the
second seminar in the
District 7 affordable housing
series titled "Developing
Affordable Housing In
DeKalb: What To Expect."
Described as "a hybrid
event," the seminar included
information on financing
for affordable housing;
incentives and resources;
purchasing land and
buildings for renovation;
partnering with the DeKalb
Housing Authority, and the
permitting process. The
seminar provided faith-
based and community
organizations with
information designed to help
them support projects aimed
at creating more affordable
housing in the area.
As to the need for more
local affordable housing,
especially for low-to
moderate-income families,
the numbers tell the story,
according to presenters
who offered the following
information: within DeKalb
County's 772,470 residents,
there are 45,000 on the
affordable housing waiting
list. There has been a 21
percent increase in rental
rates in the past year and
a 20 percent increase in
property values during the
same time period. In the
past 12 weeks alone, median
sales prices for housing have
increased 5.97 percent.
Seminar officials also
noted that 51 percent of
residential properties south
of Memorial Drive are sold to
private equity firms. Because
private equity real estate
investments are costlier
and riskier than many other
investments, investors look
for greater returns, according
to Investopedia. The result
is higher prices when the
property is rented or sold.
Incentives and resources
for affordable housing
development were discussed
by presenter Dorian DeBarr,
president of Decide DeKalb,
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor and Council of the City of Pine Lake
will hold a public hearing on Tuesday.
September 27. 2022 at 6:30pm at 459
Pine Drive. Pine Lake. GA 30072. The
purpose of the hearing is to solicit input on
variance Application requests submitted
by representative for 497 Oak Drive. Pine
Lake. GA (Parcel 18 041 08 009) and to
potentially render decision in the matter.
Applicant is seeking variances from R-1
Residential District development regulations
relative to minimum side yard setback and
from Stream Buffer Protection regulations
relative to undisturbed buffer and setback
provisions. Request for variances is the
result of proposed development of the subject
property.
Interested parties are invited to attend and be
heard.
Information pertaining to this request is
available at Pine Lake City Hall, 425 Allgood
Road, Stone Mountain, GA during regular
business hours.
the county's development
authority. "The goal of
economic development is
to improve the wellbeing
of our community through
efforts that lead to job
creation, job retention, tax
base enhancement and
improvements in the quality
of life for DeKalb County
residents," he explained.
Programs are currently
in place in DeKalb County to
provide financial incentives
for builders to erect housing
within the reach of low- and
moderate-income families,
according to seminar
presenters.
Allen Mitchell, director
of DeKalb County's
Community Development
department, reviewed
his department's role in
the creation of affordable
housing, noting that it
is involved in permitting
in such areas as land
disturbance and building,
as well as tracking and
inspection of the completed
project.
The seminar offered
step-by-step information on
the county's "user friendly"
permitting process that takes
the builder from application
through inspection.
There also was a
summary of the Bond for
Title program available to
qualifying new businesses
and expansions of existing
businesses. Under the
program, Decide DeKalb
provides an incentive
schedule based on project
investment for projects
that demonstrate economic
development benefits to the
county.
Those attending or
viewing the seminar also saw
a report of DeKalb County's
Neighborhood Stabilization
program 2019 through
2021. "The impact on home
buyers and renters has been
tremendously positive as
individuals are paying less
for affordable housing,
appraised values have risen,
neighborhoods have seen
positive change and more
buyers are experiencing
the American Dream," the
report states. "The impact
on county neighborhoods
has been broad and
pervasive from a real estate
perspective. Fewer vacant
and abandoned homes
in various communities
result in increased property
values."
Also discussed was
the Tax Allocation District
program. Through it, bonds
may be issued that are a
special limited obligation of
the Development Authority
and do not involve either
the school district or the
municipality. Revenue
bonds in amounts based
on projections of future tax
revenue are sold "to finance
desired improvements or
offer incentives for growth,"
according to material
presented at the seminar.
E>
Decide DeKalb
Development Authority
Decide DeKalb Development Authority (Decide DeKalb) invites
interested parties to submit statements of qualification and experience
to provide grant writing, GIS assistance, single audit assistance, environmental
and engineering consulting services, and reuse planning for Decide DeKalb’s
brownfields program.
Qualifications are due by Friday, September
23rd, 2022 at 5p EST. To read the RFQ in its
entirety, visit www.decidedekalb.com under
the “About Us” tab.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF Doraville, GEORGIA
FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET REVIEW
October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING ON FY2023 BUDGET: A Public Hearing on the
FY2023 Budget is scheduled for September 14, 2022, 6:00 at p.m. in
the City Hall Chambers located at Doraville City Hall. At this meeting, the
Mayor and Council will receive both written and oral comments about the
Annual Operating and Capital Budget for the City of Doraville Georgia. A
qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired will be available upon request
made at least ten (10) days in advance of this meeting. Please call (770)
451-8745 to request an interpreter or for more information.
BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW: The FY2023 Recommended
Budget will be available for public inspection during normal office hours
on September 7. 2022. 8:30 am. at the following location: Doraville
City Hall, 3725 ParkAve Doraville. GA: Summary information on the
Recommended Budget can also be found at the city’s web site www.
doravillega.us.