AtlantaHousingAuthority

AHA positively impacts individuals, families, and neighborhoods and provides access to healthier living conditions for more families than ever before.

Through new construction, investment in existing private properties, and other public/private ventures, AHA is assisting nearly 6,000 more low-income households than in 1994.

Community and civic engagement has increased in Atlanta's revitalized communities, where more than 6,000 additional citizens have registered to vote (approximately 5,000 of them African-American).

QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIAVEFAQ

What is it?

The Quality of Life Initiative will allow families in AHA's remaining conventional public housing projects the opportunity to escape an environment of concentrated poverty, consistent with AHA's vision of providing eligible families with access to affordable housing, while deconcentrating poverty and building healthy communities.

Why now?

  • Despite the revitalization of more than a dozen AHA communities, the privatization of property management, and implementation of organizational efficiencies, more than 5,000 AHA families still live in the economically and socially detrimental conditions of concentrated poverty.
  • A negotiated agreement with HUD has given AHA a window of opportunity (July 1, 2003-June 30, 2010) during which the agency has financial and regulatory flexibility in addressing Atlanta 's affordable housing needs.
  • The per-unit cost that HUD funds has dropped from 98.1% in 2005 to 76% in 2007, worsening the conditions at Atlanta's already obsolete public housing projects.

What will happen to the families?

  • AHA will utilize Responsible Relocation in coordination with Atlanta Public Schools and other community stakeholders. Responsible Relocation ensures choice, support and successful outcomes for each family.
  • Intensive human service case management will:
    • Support the families pre and post relocation
    • Promote successful transition of families to new communities
    • Increase self-sufficiency
    • Assist in achieving personal goals
  • The Relocation Team will provide the families with the tools to make informed choices about the best housing opportunities:
    • AHA high-rise communities (seniors and the disabled)
    • Private mixed-income rental communities with a limited percentage of project based rental assistance
    • Housing Choice tenant based vouchers

How will this initiative impact neighborhoods?

The Relocation Team will manage the relocation of families with thoughtful consideration of the impact on Atlanta 's neighborhoods, with assistance from:

  • Georgia State University to prepare families to be successful neighbors
  • Human development case management services
  • 1-888-AHA-4YOU – 24-hour customer service hotline for Atlanta's citizens
CONTACT

© Atlanta Housing Authority 2013

QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVE: