Affordable Housing Advocates Target Georgia Legislature
(APN) ATLANTA — On Tuesday, March 08, 2016, Housing Georgia brought together hundreds of people to advocate and educate legislators about housing solutions and to lobby for several bills working their way through the General Assembly.
Housing Georgia is a diverse statewide coalition that advocates and educates for safe, decent, and affordable homes for Georgians.
Georgia has a severe shortage of affordable housing, with rental rates skyrocketing, especially in urban and suburban areas; and with many people having lost their homes in the foreclosure meltdown of 2008.
New rental units being constructed and older units being upgraded tend to be priced for higher income households, and are not helping to meet Georgia’s unmet housing needs.
Housing Georgia supports HR 1553, a House Study Committee to explore strategies to reduce homelessness and to educate legislators about the problem.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/HR/1553
HR 1553 is sponsored by State Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman) and others. It is in the House Rules Committee.
“In 1991, the Georgia General Assembly wrote into law that it is the state’s policy to provide decent, safe and affordable housing for all segments of the population in Georgia. We are here today, to begin to move forward a real commitment to make that affirmation a reality,” Elizabeth Appley, a Public Policy Advocate for Housing Georgia, said to a packed room at Central Presbyterian Church.
Housing Georgia also supports HB 221, which clarifies that for properties in Georgia receiving federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits to subsidize affordable housing units for Georgia families, that those rent reductions can be calculating in determining the fair market value of the property.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/HB/221
It is sponsored by State Rep. Jay Powell (R-Camilla). It has passed the House and is in the Senate Finance Committee.
“We don’t want affordable housing units to be compared directly with units that are more expensive because they are not comparable,” Marty Collier, member of Housing Georgia, told APN.
Another bill Housing Georgia supports is HB 773, to increase the bond limit for the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (GHFA). Passage would increase the GHFA bonding limit for its single family residential housing program from 1.3 billion dollars to three billion dollars.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/HB/773
It is sponsored by State Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville). It has passed the House and is in the Senate Appropriation Committee.
This fund provides first mortgage loans, down payment assistance, and homebuyer education to eligible first time home buyers in targeted areas. This will enable more Georgians to realize the dream of homeownership.
Another legislative issue that could affect housing is SR 1084, a resolution for a Senate Study Committee on Vacant Structures. If passed it would explore bringing more resources to repair, close, or demolish blighted vacant buildings.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/SR/1084
It is sponsored by State Sen. JaNice Van Ness (R-Conyers), and is assigned to the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committees.
Housing Georgia also supports an increase in state funds for the State Housing Voucher program.
(END/2016)
For 14 years I have gone back and forth about an over-payment deduction of $1200/mo. for a debt that was waived via BVA in 2011, yet VA is reluctant to honor court. I am in substandard housing that has escalated to potential violence against me by another resident (rooming house). I have gone every where seeking assistance moving but no help is available if you have a place to lay your head, regardless of conditions. Sure hoping this helps those, like me–not on drugs, not homeless–who needs assistance moving in the Atlanta area.
We need affordable housing for every one. Seniors are often left out of loop. Active seniors are caught in the middle of living in a care facility or living with adult children. My mom is 67 and is very active. She would like to have her own place but can’t afford the high rents on a fixed income. Where does she go for help.
Who among us has ever installed sheet rock? Pine frames? or any part of a 2 story private home? The working class is very diverse…….it is not one race nor one skill. The right wing and the communists both ignore these people except to gather money and shout down opponents.Attend meetings, know whose is going and what they want.
Written in downtown supporter of tax payer as well as friendly development.