Decatur Acts on Affordable Housing Task Force Report
The Affordable Housing Task Force wrapped up their work in February 2020 with a presentation of findings and recommendations on how to preserve and increase housing affordability in Decatur. Since then, the City of Decatur has already implemented several of the recommendations and is pleased to share the following list as an update:
The first measure to address Decatur’s shortage of accessible for-sale and rental housing is a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy. Prior to this policy, developers were encouraged to add affordable new rental units to new developments by allowing a density bonus. The new policy adopted July 2020 requires that any new development with five or more units set aside at least 10% of the units for moderate-income households. This policy should bring its first inclusionary units in 2023 with new developments that are now in the permitting process.
The Decatur Land Trust (DLT) was incorporated as a non-profit entity on July 23, 2021 to facilitate the purchase and development of homes, rental units, and land with 99-year renewable land leases for permanent affordability. To start off, the DLT will partner with the Decatur Development Authority on the Cottage Court Pilot Project at 230 Commerce Drive and Legacy Project Board on the north housing village at Legacy Park. The Decatur Land Trust website can be found here.
With extensive assistance from the Atlanta Regional Commission through their Community Design Assistance Program (CDAP), a year-round Housing Rehabilitation Program will be established to facilitate home repairs for low-income and senior homeowners. The CDAP report provided City staff and leaders with the nuts and bolts on how best to operate the program and funding sources. The home rehabilitation program, Decatur Home ReHAB, can be found on the Decatur Land Trust website here.
Currently under consideration are amendments to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). A modification to the UDO was implemented in 2021 is to revise the RS-17 zoning areas to allow accessory dwelling units and increase the number of cottage court homes allowed on a lot. Missing Middle zoning reform is under consideration to increase the variety of housing options in traditional, single-family zoning districts by allowing low-density duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes. Public outreach began in January of 2021 and the Commission will vote on the final proposals in January of 2023.
The December 5, 2022 Decatur City Commission work session discussing the Missing Middle recommendations is found here.
Task Force Recommendation Updates
(Items Complete or currently In Progress are Highlighted in Bold).
Recommendation #1: Create Affordable Housing Advisory Board - UNDER CONSIDERATION
Recommendation #2: Hire Dedicated Staff Member to Execute Affordable Housing Strategies - COMPLETE
Recommendation #3: Tax Abatement for Affordable Apartment Complexes: UNDER CONSIDERATION - WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATION AT THE STATE LEVEL
Recommendation #4: Amendments to RS-17 Zoning District Regulations - COMPLETE
Recommendation #5: Revise the S-4 Homestead Exemption - COMPLETE
Recommendation #6: Revision to Existing Tax Payment Assistance Program - IN PROGRESS: BALLOT INITIATIVE IN NOVEMBER 2023
Recommendation #7: Extension of MLK Service Project to Year-Round Program - IN PROGRESS: PROGRAM IS FINANIZED AND SEEKING FUNDING
Recommendation #8: Rental Assistance Program - IN PROGRESS
Recommendation #9: Affordable Accessory Dwelling Unit Finance Program - UNDER CONSIDERATION
Recommendation #10: Increase Affordable Housing Supply by Developing Pipeline of Developable Land - IN PROGRESS / ONGOING
Recommendation #11: Decatur Land Trust Creation - COMPLETE / Funding Mechanisms - IN PROGRESS
Recommendation #12: Mandatory Inclusionary Housing - COMPLETE
Recommendation #13: Increase Supply of Affordable Housing Options by Allowing Duplex, Triplex and Quadplex in Single-Family Zoning Areas - IN PROGRESS: DECISION EARLY 2023
Recommendation #14: Developer Incentives for Affordable Housing - IN PROGRESS
Recommendation #15: Innovative Housing Typologies - IN PROGRESS
Recommendation #16: Development Impact Fees - IN PROGRESS
Recommendation #17: Bonds - UNDER CONSIDERATION
Recommendation #18: General Funds - IN PROGRESS
Recommendation #19: Additional Sources of Revenue - COMPLETE (In-Lieu Option) / UNDER CONSIDERATION
Recommendation #20: Strategic Partnerships - IN PROGRESS / ONGOING: OAK COTTAGE COURT IS FIRST PARTNERSHIP EXAMPLE FOR DECATUR LAND TRUST
Recommendation #22: Create Effective Community Engagement and Education on Affordable Housing - COMPLETE / ONGOING
Recommendation #23: Identify High-Impact Messaging for Community Education and Engagement Efforts - ONGOING
