Decatur Land Trust reports sales, rehab wins and new projects in annual update to commission

The Decatur Land Trust on Monday told the Decatur City Commission it has made measurable progress expanding permanently affordable housing and homeowner repair assistance in the city.

Decatur Land Trust Executive Director Vicky Mitchell presented the nonprofit's annual report, saying the trust's first project, Oak Cottage Court, comprises six homes (four three-bedroom units, one two-bedroom and one one-bedroom) and that all six had closed by the end of the most recent sales cycle. Mitchell described the trust's June 2024 tiered preference system that prioritizes city employees, Decatur school employees and Decatur Housing Authority employees, then other city nonprofits and businesses, current renters in Decatur and finally all qualified buyers.

Mitchell said the trust implemented deed restrictions to preserve affordability in perpetuity and that qualification requirements for projects include attendance at a DLT information session, a homebuyer education class and a ground lease on closing. She said Park 108 acquisitions include one studio and two one-bedroom condo units, subject to HUD 120% AMI eligibility, and that the trust has provided $30,000 in city-funded down-payment assistance to three buyers.

On the homeowner side, Mitchell described the Decatur Home Rehab Program for seniors (55+) and disabled adults (21+) with household incomes at or below HUD 60% AMI. Awards are made as funds permit, with individual grants of up to $15,000 for repairs and deferred maintenance. Mitchell told commissioners the program has replaced three roofs and has two projects pending; in some cases repairs have allowed homeowners to reinstate canceled insurance policies.

Looking ahead, Mitchell said the trust is supporting the city on a proposed project at 600 Commerce Drive: a quadruplex of two-bedroom units plus an accessory dwelling unit targeting households at about 100% HUD AMI. She also reviewed fundraising work, saying an outside contractor has completed a website audit, set up Google grant tools and recommended digital outreach; the trust has nine grant applications submitted, three in progress and a July 2025 art fundraiser in partnership with the Decatur Arts Alliance.

Residents who benefitted from the trust and its rehab work spoke to the commission. Catherine Lee, an Oak Cottage homeowner, said she had not expected to be eligible and described moving back to Decatur and finding a supportive neighborhood. Sondra Joyner, a rehab program participant, said the trust helped replace a decades-old furnace and praised staff outreach. Joyce Washington Jackson described a roof replacement arranged quickly after a referral through the MLK service project.

Mitchell said the trust is recruiting board members, has secured office space at Legacy Park, and aims to become a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to broaden services to participants. The presentation closed with commissioners thanking the trust and residents for the update.

The trust's presentation was part of the meeting work session; commissioners did not take formal action on the trust's requests during the session but discussed next steps including continued fundraising and partnership development.