Athens Land Trust proposes affordable housing plan to combat housing crisis

In the heart of Athens, under the warm glow of city hall lights, community leaders gathered for a pivotal Mayor and Commission Agenda Setting Session on February 19, 2025. The atmosphere buzzed with urgency as residents voiced their concerns about affordable housing and energy burdens, issues that resonate deeply within the community.

Demetrius Jordan, the newly appointed executive director of Athens Land Trust, passionately addressed the commission, emphasizing the organization's commitment to providing stable and affordable housing. "For 30 years, Athens Land Trust has been more than an organization. We have been a promise," he declared, highlighting the need for a responsible spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Jordan outlined a timeline to complete five new homes by June 2025, urging the commission not to recapture these funds, as doing so would hinder progress and hope for many families in Athens.

The conversation shifted as residents like Delmyra Jennings and Suzanne Warrenfeldt raised alarms about the high energy costs burdening local households. Jennings pointed out that Athenians spend an average of 7% of their income on energy bills, significantly higher than the state and national averages. She called for the Athens-Clarke County (ACC) government to take a more active role in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process with Georgia Power, advocating for representation that could alleviate the financial strain on low-income neighborhoods.

Warrenfeldt echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of joining the Coalition of Local Governments to strengthen ACC's voice in energy discussions. She explained that Georgia Power's profit-driven motives could lead to inflated costs for consumers, making local representation crucial in the IRP process.

Laura Iyer, representing the Southern Sustainability Institute, reinforced the need for ACC's active participation in this coalition. She praised the city’s clean energy initiatives and highlighted the coalition's successes in advocating for energy efficiency and transparency from Georgia Power. "Local is the game right now," she asserted, urging the commission to reaffirm Athens' leadership in advancing affordable and clean energy solutions.

As the meeting progressed, the commission took a brief recess, allowing the weight of these discussions to settle in. The voices of the community echoed through the hall, a reminder of the pressing challenges they face and the collective effort required to forge a sustainable future for Athens. The session underscored a pivotal moment for local governance, where the intersection of housing, energy, and community welfare took center stage, setting the tone for future actions that could shape the lives of many Athenians.