Local Issues
Update: Atlanta Development Moratorium/Housing Vouchers
March 6, 2020
As previously reported, the City of Atlanta swiftly moved a couple of pieces of legislation through the process last week including a moratorium on development in the Westside Park area and requiring landlords to accept housing vouchers. Below are updates on where things stand now.
Following the lead of the Mayor's executive order, the City Council approved an ordinance putting a developmental moratorium near the city's Westside Park. The Council did include exemptions, which include applications from owner-occupied primary residences, emergency situations, projects with certain affordability thresholds, and applications already received by the Department of City Planning.
In an effort to address affordable housing issues in the City, Councilman Antonio Brown introduced an ordinance that would require landlords accept housing vouchers as a source of income. As it stands, the ordinance is not set to go into effect for 6 months. However, after preliminary review of the ordinance, we have found that it is in direct contradiction to state law and will be found to be unenforceable if ever implemented.
Association staff is currently working with the city to come to a reasonable resolution to these issues and keep the city moving forward. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Governmental Affairs Director Aaron Johnson at (404) 732-0631.
About the GMLRA Market Brief
The Georgia Mountains & Lakes REALTORS® Association (GMLRA) Market Brief is compiled by Georgia Multiple Listing Service (GAMLS). For more information on details of this month's report, please contact the Association at 404.845.4024.
*Each month, the numbers reported for the previous month are updated to reflect additional recordings.
About the Georgia Mountains & Lakes REALTORS® Association
The Georgia Mountains & Lakes REALTORS® Association (GMLRA) has been an instrumental factor in the growth of real estate in the Habersham, White and Rabun, Georgia area for more than a decade. GMLRA serves as a central source of information for its members, with mainly focusing on real estate education, the promotion of professionalism in the industry and representing REALTORS® members with legislative initiatives to create positive change for the real estate community.
About Georgia Multiple Listing Service
Since 1962 Georgia MLS has been providing real estate professionals with exceptional service, proven technology solutions, and unmatched value. With a laser-sharp focus on making the day-to-day tasks of our MLS subscribers more functional, more productive, and more profitable, we continue to implement the service blueprint that has led to our continued growth. For additional information or to start a discussion about how to partner with GAMLS please contact georgiamls@gamls.com.