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Atlanta Housing warns of federal budget risk while reporting development progress
Summary
Atlanta Housing presented a quarterly update noting progress toward its unit goals and staff pushed contingency planning as the Biden administration’s HUD budget proposal could cut funding significantly.
Duane Vaughn, chief operating officer of Atlanta Housing, told the council the agency remains committed to serving clients on rental subsidy programs, continuing development work and maintaining adequate staff while monitoring federal appropriations.
Vaughn said Atlanta Housing’s strategic goal is to create or preserve 10,000 affordable units by 2027 and that the agency is “at 72% of our goal” on its public dashboard. He said the agency expects to be “close to 95% of our goal” after next year’s activity, but described a fragile federal funding environment.
Vaughn said the president’s budget proposed a 43% cut to HUD programs and would move housing programs to states as block grants — a change that, he said, currently lacks widespread support in Congress. He said the agency is planning as if its budget is 15% below last year’s level while preparing for deeper reductions if necessary.
Vaughn reviewed active and shovel-ready projects: Madison Reynoldstown is in lease-up; Herndon and Inglewood Senior properties have two phases underway; Bowen has broken ground; and West Highlands focuses on homeownership on a former public housing site. He noted Leila Valley’s first planting and said Leila Valley will ultimately include about 175 housing units.
Council members asked about specific projects. On 450 Capitol Avenue, Vaughn said Atlanta Housing has an RFP under review and expects to select a developer by mid-fall, and said the agency is exploring activation of at least one floor and the grounds for FIFA-related activities.
Vaughn said Atlanta Housing is engaging with congressional offices and housing stakeholders to stress the economic impact of its programs and protect funding for vouchers and public-housing operations. He closed by noting community programming, internships and senior services the authority is running.
Ending: Council members thanked Atlanta Housing and requested follow-up on McDaniel Glenn phase timing and a count of developers registered to accept Section 8 vouchers under a recent resolution.
