{"id":576,"date":"2024-04-24T18:00:07","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T18:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ctlsites.uga.edu\/rp-annakadet\/?p=576"},"modified":"2024-05-06T16:38:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T16:38:28","slug":"news-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ctlsites.uga.edu\/rp-annakadet\/news-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"News Conference Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mayor Kelly Girtz answers questions asked by Reporting I students at the University of Georgia about the Athens-Clarke County Future Land Use Plan on April 19. The plan was completed in 2023 in order to accommodate both current and future housing needs. (Photo\/Anna Kadet)<\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Anna Kadet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Kelly Girtz explained how the Athens-Clarke County Future Land Use Plan <\/a>will create affordable housing for residents living in poverty at a University of Georgia news conference on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girtz spoke to students about the Affordable Housing Investment Strategy, which includes recommendations for the plan based on current housing analysis. The recommendations given involved a local affordable housing fund, low-income housing tax credit development and down payment assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future Land Use Plan targets areas of growth primarily in urban centers, such as Downtown and the Georgia Square Mall, as well as in town centers, such as Beechwood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plan was outlined in response to population growth pressures and decreasing affordability. Over 4,700 households in Athens-Clarke County earn under $35,000 each year, meaning they are \u201cseverely cost-burdened.\u201d Additionally, the county expects 30,000 new permanent residents by 2045. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girtz said that he is confident the government will act responsibly through the anticipated development similarly to its responsible actions during past city growth by increasing supply and density. By the end of next week, he will propose a $1 million Affordable Housing Fund to the county commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know, it\u2019s almost like a game of musical chairs,\u201d Girtz said. \u201cIf there aren\u2019t enough chairs, and there are too many people, every one of those persons is going to be swirling around looking to buy a home. But if you\u2019ve got more chairs than you have people, people are going to find a place to live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future Land Use Plan also addresses local residents\u2019 desires and concerns following a series of eight public hearings<\/a> taking place through March and April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girtz said that the public, aside from affordability, values green spaces, proximity to amenities and an accessible variety of public transportation. He said that residents want to be able to buy their groceries and return to their living space by way of a short walk. Building vertically over businesses, Girtz said, would help accomplish this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference also covered concern over student housing in the wake of increasing enrollment. Girtz said that he believed the county is able to accommodate the rising population through conversion of parking lots and abandoned spaces close to the University of Georgia\u2019s campus, much like the current construction of the Rambler<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophia Perkins, a first-year intended graphic design student at the University of Georgia, has only found housing for the fall 2024 semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything is like, $1000 per month, which is just insane,\u201d Perkins said. \u201cIt’s so difficult, especially for someone supporting themselves through college. And it makes me so sad because I mean, Athens-Clarke County is incredibly poor and I didn\u2019t even realize that until I moved here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topics: affordable housing, Athens-Clarke County, University of Georgia, Future Land Use Plan, Mayor Kelly Girtz, poverty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source Information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Kelly Girtz, kelly.girtz@accgov.com, (706)-613-3010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mayor Kelly Girtz<\/a><\/h4>

Contact and other information for Mayor Kelly Girtz<\/p><\/blockquote>