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Commission considers reestablishing Land Bank Authority to support small-site affordable housing acquisitions
Summary
The commission reviewed a proposal to reestablish a Land Bank Authority to manage acquisition and disposition of small, vacant or blighted parcels for affordable housing and other public purposes; staff said the land bank would not itself be a primary conduit for the larger affordable-housing trust funds but could work alongside them.
Athens-Clarke County staff presented a proposal April 15 to reestablish a Land Bank Authority (LBA) to facilitate strategic use of small vacant or blighted parcels for affordable housing and other public-purpose uses.
Staff explained that Athens previously had an LBA in a default state and the new proposal would formally reconstitute the authority and create a committee to produce a two-year work plan and budget. Staff said the LBA could acquire and dispose of small parcels and coordinate with affordable-housing trust funds and other mechanisms, but staff and the county attorney advised that the land bank would not be the primary legal vehicle for certain lending mechanisms tied to the countys $5 million dedicated affordable-housing resources. Instead, the LBA could request funding from an affordable-housing trust fund or other sources to support acquisitions.
Commissioners discussed the types of parcels the land bank would target and whether county-owned parcels would qualify; staff said the LBA is intended for abandoned, vacant or blighted properties consistent with Georgia law and that the countys inventory of small parcels could be used. Commissioner Myers asked about overlap with the recently announced $5 million affordable-housing resources; staff said the two vehicles could complement each other but operate under different legal and administrative rules.
Staff said the LBA would return with a work plan, proposed budget and governance details after commission approval to move forward. Several commissioners expressed support for the concept and asked staff to ensure alignment between the land banks activity and the countys broader affordable-housing strategy.
