Box 1, Folder 2, Document 23

Box 1, Folder 2, Document 23

City of Atlanta
HOUSING CODE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

Policy and Procedure Guide

February 1, 1967

I. Goalss;

Ae

3.

Cc.

D.

Maximum efforts immediately to secure public understanding of the goals

and benefits of the Housing Code Compliance Program through use of
personal contact, pamphlets, press releases and other public information
media.

Maximum coordination immediately with all other public agencies who will
be affected by, and need to assist in, the conduct and results of this
progran.

Conservation of those residential structures in good condition to prevent
the spread of blight and decay through encouragement of maintenance efforts
and protection from those conditions such as overcrowding and unauthorized
conversion which lead to blight.

Rehabilitation o£ all substandard residential structures which are presently
unsuitable for human habitation but where improvements can be made at a
reasonable cost to bring them up to standard and where such rehabilitation
does not conflict with other community goals by 1971.

Demolition of all residential structures which are‘unfit for human habita-
tion and where rehabilitation would be prohibitively expensive or would
otherwise conflict with other community goals by 1971.

Review and re-evaluation beginning in 1967 on a continuing basis of those
ee ES ap re -——— =

vehabilitation areas which have been covered in previous years to

determine their need for possible future systematic reinitiation of

total rehabilitation effort. ©
Ii, Areas and Priorities;

A. The Housing Conditions Map reflecting the survey made in 1963 has been
brought up-to-date. In this revision, close coordination has been
developed between the Planning Department, the Housing Code Division
and the Director of Governmental Liaison. This has resulted in an
improved plan for a city-wide, systematic, comprehensive Housing Code
Compliance Program. The basic map of the revised survey indicates on
a block basis the following categories.

1. Cong-rvation (Areas which principally require either no improvements
or only minor improvements with occasional rehabilitation).

2. Intensive Conservation (those areas which because of certain factors ©
such as age, transition in occupancy or use, or adverse fringe
influences, etc., require a greater amount of surveillance in order
to forestall blight and decay. These areas will normally require
only minor improvements and spot rehabilitation).

3. Rehabilitation (those areas in which the majority of structures
require rehabilitation which does not exceed 50 per cent of their
value; some spot clearance is. anticipated).

NN 4. Clearance = Code Enforcement (predominately smaller areas where
the majority of structures ultimately should be cleared and the area

xedeveloped. These areas will be inspected for code compliance with

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B.

Cc.

Oey ee lg a le a a ee



emphasis on demolition. Should the owner elect to rehabilitate
a structure he will be permitted to do so provided he complies
in £ull with all codes and ordinances,
Se Title T Urban Renewal (those areas in which the majority of struce
tures should be demolished, with some rehabilitation, and where
the siza and cost of the contemplated action justifies the use of
Title I federal funds).
The map also shows division of the city into halves, for supervisor
responsibility; each of these halves is sub-divided into five Sectors.
Each of these Sectors is assigned to a Housing Code inspector, es his
area of individual responsibility.
The wap also has on it areas of various sizes outlined showing the
neighborhood designation with numbera ranging from '65 to ‘69. ‘These
areas indicate where and when an intensive program of systematic housing
code compliance is to be undertaken on a house to house basis, The
target date assigned to a particular area indicates its relative priority.
Those with a high priority have an early date; those with a lower priority,
a later date, | .
Priovities for the areas have been based on:
1. The number cf donpltance inspections which the Housing Code Division
can undertake in one year, while maintaining £r14 city-wide coverage.
Z. the xelationship of rehabilitation areas to surrounding or internal
community activities, community facility development or Title i

Urban Renewal Projects.

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4.
hc he a ee 2 nee Sg el * na a

Conczal conditions in the particular area. Those with the most

Se
prascing rchabilitation neada will be undertaken firat.
be The Lony vange goat of complete housing code inspection of substandard
dwailiags by 1970 and complianca in ail designated rehabilitation azeas
by 19712. |
5S. An additional consideration in subcaquent revisions will be the neod
for futuse xehabilitation effort in -axveas previously covared os biight
eecceura. This iter eepresants the first step in the changeover from
a program with o fixed completion date to one oa a coatinuing baste. —
D. Proposed Comamity Facility Locations: «© . ©: *
4 cup has bean prepared which indicates the location of all proposed

commmity facilities and highways (exclusive of urban renewal projects)

im the City of Atianta.. The locations have been indexed and color coded

to idontify tham and to indicate the ageucy sesponaible for their execution.

Tlie Oreentz

ection ant Adminietration:. oe ou So hati ~

4. Porsonnel, Department of Buildinga. .

de

Ze

Housing Code Offf6@ 0 i 5 cay om ue het tee ia te UE ia
a. ‘Chied Inspector sue aie « (2)
b. Field Supervisors 2 “5 (4)
Ce. H. C, Sector iasapectors I (oy
a. ii. C. Concentration Avea 5
Inspectore I ‘ re (30) .
Ge HE. C. Laspectoxrs I (General) ge :(2)
2, Clorical tO ae

itousing Rehabilitation Specialist Offica
4. Rousing Rehabilitation Specialist €1):

be lie Ce Inspector I io . (3)
ce Stenographers ; | aa «hy

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Be



Senet eoener am semmamee Deen take mmr pee re an a Sl EY PE — a =

"3. Codoa Compliance Office

a. Codes Compliance Officer . 7 Sy 3)
b. H.C, Inspector To - ay”
c, Typist-Clork Sr us » te

Duties and Responsibilitios:

1. Deleted |

Ze Personnel, Housing Code Division:

de Chiefs inspector

«ld

: (2)

. 03).

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ne

6)

AD

_ Coordination of relocation efforts es

eb el

, Overall supervision of inopections, ese

_ field work and administration.

"with Atlanta Housing Authority, Mah SS te SPU toon Mate tags

Pursuit of resolution of difficult cases.

. Dixect supervision of clerical acedmete a

_ Coordination with Codes Compliance Officer:
Rehabilitation Specialist.

Training progran for now Housing Code tuspectors,
‘Coordination with other Divisions of Department of

Buildings.

b. Field Supervisors

moon

Direct supervision of five inspectora and their sectors

‘comprising one-halZ (i) of the City.

Ree
3)

Direct supervision of intensive program teaus.

‘In-Service training for inspectors to include principles

"ef Housing Code Enforcement, selection and scheduling of

work, and standardization of requirements and acceptances.

4
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(6) Assistance in preparation o£ court cases when zequested

_ (4) General conduct of housing coda compliance program within

their onewhaif (4) of tha City.

(5) Assistance in resolution of difficult cases,

by Coda Compliance Officer,
(7) Other apectet duties as assigned by Chief Tnapectors,

Housing Coda Sector Inspeetorst

(1). Conduct of Housing Code Compliance Program in their seater.

: (2) Primary responsibility for resolution of all cases and

eet

complicate: in their sectors.

“ (3) Frepare casea for presentation before » the Better Housing *

Commission and City Attorney.
(4) Aseiat in preparing court cases.

Housine Code Inspector o Gonexal

Q Primarily responsible for conduct of Houding Code Coapliance woe

x Program in areas designated “ClearancesCode Enforcement".

>) Pursue xesolution oz all cases and complaints in these

areas. .
(3) Prepare cases for presentation to the Housing Appeale

Board and the City Attorney. :
(4) Assist in preparing Court: casas,
Intensive Progran- Housing Code Inspectors
(1) Operate a5 tean nombers
(2) Conduct housing code compliance program in rehabilitation
areaa according to scheduled svleeibed |
Clerical Personnel | at
(1) Process notices, jeiveca, #eeetde and prepare periodic
Keportss
(2) Receive telephone calla,’ prepare lists for Batter Housing

6 Ht FE Soe |) > ek @e6?
Cc.

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Commission hearings, City Attorney hearings and Court.

(3) Record minutes of Better Housing Commission meetings.

&. Related Personnel

(1) Rehabilitation Specialist

(a)

Public relations --({promoting good maintenance and
Housing Code Enforcement).
Inspectinn of apartment developments (30 units and up).

Responsible for "In Rem” proceedings.

(2) Codes wcapliance Officers

(a)

(b)

(c)

Responsible for preparation and conduct (including
attendance in Court} of Housing Code Court cases with
assistance from Housing Code Inspectors and Supervisory
Personnel.

Advises Housing Code Division on requirements for '
prosecution of Cases in court, appropriateness of
specific cases for Court action and preparation of
charges.

Prepares Court calendars and reports on Sasults of

Housing Code Court hearings. |

Notices and Follow-Up Action

inspectors will use standard methods and prescribed time intervals as

a guide for their processing of cases. Written procedure is on file

in the Housing Code Division.

Coordination

1. Relocation:

Inspectors will £111 out slips (on AHA standard form) to be signed

and forwarded by the Chief Inspector to the, Housing Authority for

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2.

3e

4.

relocation assistance to the families to ba displaced by

Housing Code Enforcement, such as placarding occupied units, when
a directive ig issued to reduce the number of occupants and/or units,
when demolition is imminent, and for other reasons.

Community Facilities

Chief Inspector will consult map showing location of proposed and
acheduled community facilities; will determine agency responsible
for execution; and consult and coordinate with that agency to
deterrine exact extent and status of project and the apprepsiaie
Housing Code Compliance Program for the areas at that time.

Public Housing

No Housing Code Inspections required. (Existing units 8874; under
construction 650; planned 490; additional allocation 1200).
Municipal Services

In conduct of the Housing Code Compliance Program, Inspectors will
be alert for needed improvements in municipal services and other
such problems. Need will be recorded and referred by the Chief
Inspector to the appropriate department or agency.

Possible referral aeeneten are:

a. Sanitary Department

b. Construction Department

c. Traffic and Street Lights Department

d. Police Department

&. Water Department

£. Fire Department

ge Parks Department

h. Board of Education °

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ei a a ce i a te rr ee meee =_ ———
a te nl he en - i bet mae es . ee ee a ee EE FRE ne

?.

1. County Departments of Fawiiy and Chiidren Services
j. County Health Departments | pea
5, Data Bank
The Housing Code Division will participate etinktnua tly in furnishing
certain types of information, obtained fa. eontaction with ite donuad’*

ta

activities, to ba placed in the data bank, oy

, Complaints

ALl Housing Code complaints received will be Senbeded on forms provided
and investigated within ona week and appropriate action initiated imme
diately. Written procedure is on file in the Housing Code Division, 2
liaadling Unresolved Cases — ve “

At the time notice expires, Sector Inspectors will thoroughly review their
uaresolved casa files and dotermine what positive action should be taken. =.
Procedure for handling unresolved cases is on file in tha Housing

Code Division,

Area Housing Coda Compliance Policies é
4&. General:

1. Placard promptly vacant substandard units and structures
considered unfit for occupancy and cause utility services
to be discontinued.

2. Promptly report to the Better Housing Com eeion and to the
Atlanta Housing Authority Relocation Housing Office (for
relocation of families) those occupied units end structures
considered unfit for occupancy.

3. ia order to keep abreast of changing conditions conducive to
deterioration and blight, each sector Inspector will endeavor

to observe his entire Sector and initiate corrective action as

needed.

Gente" " '™ e Bebeeer
B.

Cc,

4.

It is anticipated that each Sector Inspector and General
Inspector wiil process a minimum of 20 new Housing Code major
improvement or demolition cases per calendar month, and comply
an equal number per month outside of rehabilitation areas in
which teams are working. Effort ghoutd be made where feasible

to keep each Inspector's workload of uncompleted active notices
to approximately 200. All Sector and General Inspectors combined
should comply at least 4000 units per year. (2600 structures at

approximately 14 = 2 units per one structure.) (11 month basis)

Conservation Areas (See Housing Map):

1.

2e

Inspectoxy will encourage maintenance and conservation verbally
where early signs of blight appear but no valid code violation
exists.

Housing Code inspection to be made primarily on a complaint

basia.

Intensive Congervation Areas (See Housing Map)

1.

Ze

Se

Housing Code inspections to be made based on an apparent need.
Accent to be conservation rather than waiting until rehabilitation
is necessary; Inspector will give more attention to details to
discover any significant changes conducive to blight in these
areas.

Inspector will encourage maintenance and conservation verbally
where early signs of blight appear but where no valid code
violation exists.

Thesa areas will be closely examined for consideration as

possible federally assisted code enforcement projects under the

1964 Housing Act.

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D. Rehabilitation Areas (See Housing Map)

1. These areas have been cbatanated according to priority of need
and placed on a schedule.(See Map)

2. These areas will be intensively covered house by house by
inspectors of an intensive program team (2 « 4 men).

3. Conduct of Compliance Program

| ae All Housing units in rehabilitation areas will be inspected
and necessary compliance notices issued or atatement issued
that property is in satisfactory condition.

b. It is anticipated that three large areas (approximately
7000 units) and three mall: areas (approximately 1900 units)
will be covered this year (approximate total 8900). Any

‘cases remaining unresolved at the end of this year will be
assigned to Sector Inspector for resolution.

c. It is anticipated that each Team Inspector will make a
minimum of 7 new inspections or 7 first follow-up inspections
per day.

4, These areas will be closely examined for consideration as possible
future Gederally assisted code enforcement projects under the 1964
Housing Act.

E. Clearance + Code Enforcement Areas (See Housing Map)
1. Enforce Code to:
a Placard where warranted and seck demolition.
b. Correct hazards.
Ge Reduce overcrowding.
d. Vacate unfit units.

e. Clean up premises.

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2. Should the owner elect to rehabilitate a structure he will
be permitted to do so provided he complies in full with ail
codes and ordinances.

Clearance = Title I Urban Renewal

1. Proposed and Planning Stage Projects (See Housing Map):

_ Enforce Code only to:
ae, Placard where warranted and seek demolition.
b. Correct haaaxrds.
c. Reduce overcrowding.
d, Vacate unfit units.
e. Clean up premises,
2. Urban Renewal Projects in Execution (See Housing Map):

a. Issue no notices unless instructed otherwise by Chief

/

Inspector (usually upon request of Atlanta Housing Authority).

Community Facility Locations, including Public Housing (See Community

Facility Map):

1. Scheduled for construction or property being acquired
a. Chief Inspector will consult map showing location of
proposed and scheduled comnunity facilities; will
determine agency responsible for execution; and
consult and coordinate with that agency to determine
exact extent and status of project and the appropriate
Housing Code Compliance Program for the ‘ivens at that

time.

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b, Noxmally Inspactor will iesue no notices unless instructed
‘ otherwisa by Caief Inspactor.
2. Planned - construction anticipated but not scheduled
@.' Chief Inspector willl.consult. map showing iccation, af .
proposed and echaduled community facilities; will |
' determina agancy wesponsible for execution; and
“ consult and coordinate with that agency to datermina
‘' anact extent. and status of project and the appropriate |
‘Housing Code Coupliance’ Program fox the areas at that
tings
be "woxaat action will be to enforce Code ouly toe
"(1)" Placard vhero warranted and seck demolition.
a Q): Correct Baeaeda.’ Sie hare nee ee

(3); Reduce overcrowdinge i sn

(4) Vacate unfit uidtse Pree Pe akan ahi
(5) ' Clean up promises. ve. Me tealds
ta
i i woe yt a
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