Athens, GA– On Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission voted on two new affordable housing and homelessness policy plans that would further address housing insecurity in Athens. Additionally, Commissioners voted on whether to transition the people residing in Athens’ government-sanctioned homeless encampment into hotels before its contract was set to expire in December. Read more about the plans and the outcomes of the votes below.

Affordable Housing Investment Strategy (AHIS)

The Affordable Housing Investment Strategy (AHIS) was completed in July of this year and identified three primary challenges for renters and homeowners: limited funding, lack of quality, affordable rental homes, and lack of support for homeownership. The three main recommendations for addressing those challenges were:

• Identifying ongoing local public funding
• Build and preserve quality affordable rental homes
• And, expand access to homeownership

Prior to their vote, two Commissioners presented amendments. Commissioner Thornton proposed that a summary report be compiled of all previous ACCGov. studies and reports “related to housing”. Commissioner Houle proposed that the strategy include Permanent Supportive Housing as an option to consider for funding and tax credits. Houle expanded on this during the meeting, stating that in addition to homeless people who may have behavioral issues or struggle with substance abuse, seniors and those with developmental and/or physical disabilities would also benefit from having a “someone who either lives on-site or has some kind of office space on-site” where they could regularly check-in on and be reached by residents. 

The AHIS, with Commissioners Houle and Thornton’s amendments, passed 9-to-1 with Commissioner Fisher being the only commissioner to vote ‘no’. 

Strategic Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness (SPRPH)

The Strategic Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness (SPRPH) was developed in response to the drastic increase of people experiencing homelessness in Athens. The strategies recommended within the plan include establishing comprehensive street outreach, using disaster response models for unsheltered individuals, building a fund to provide financial assistance and services, and increasing access and support for living wage jobs. Commissioner Thornton proposed an amendment to the plan similar to the one she proposed for affordable housing– “a summary report for all previous studies and/or reports undertaken by ACCGov related to the homeless”. 

The SPRPH, with Commissioner Thornton’s amendments, passed unanimously. 

Homeless Encampment Transition

First Step, the government-sanctioned encampment on 1000 Barber Street in Athens, opened in early 2022 as a way to provide a safer and consistent alternative to unhoused Athenians. The encampment was previously managed by the Athens Alliance Coalition who, with the $2.5 million they were given by our local government, provided residents with a space with sanitation and security. In addition to meeting those basic needs, AAC staff members provided assistance with employment, financial advice and guidance on acquiring permanent housing. However, after controversy regarding leadership at the camp and with the original contract expiring in December, a decision had to be made on what to do with the residents of First Step. ACCGov. staff recommended that residents be given until January 2024 to vacate 1000 Barber Street and use hotel vouchers provided by Advantage Behavioral Health Systems through April 2024. During discussion on this item, Commissioner Link recommended tabling the transition vote until each commissioner had visited the camp and asked residents whether they would rather stay in tents or hotels. She shared several reasons why people may not want to stay in a hotel, citing one resident’s concern about her dog being allowed at hotels shared during public comment. However, when discussion concluded and the vote was conducted, Commissioner Link’s motion to table was voted down 3-to-7. 

The motion to transition the residents of First Step passed 8-to-2 with Commissioners Link and Houle voting ‘no’. 

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is pleased with the results of these three votes and are hopeful that the goals set forth will be met as housing insecurity in Athens has rapidly become one of the biggest challenges Athenians are facing. Our organization works with diverse populations, including those experiencing homelessness, and we provide temporary, transitional housing support to those in need on a case-by-case basis. However, treating the symptoms and not the disease is not a sustainable system, and our organization supports plans that focus on increasing opportunity in addition to providing immediate support. To find out more about our advocacy work, please visit https://www.aadmovement.org/justice-reform/