Box 18, Folder 25, Document 19

Box 18, Folder 25, Document 19

MINUTES
ANNUAL MEETING, HOUSING RESOURCES COMMITTEE
December 1), 1967

Annual meeting of the full membership of the Housing Resources Committee was
held December 1), 1967 at 3:30 psm. in Committee Room #2, City Hall.

Each member of the Committee and a number of guests, including representatives
of the Federal Government, other Agencies, City Departments, several Promoters,
Developers, Builders and members of the News Media were invited, All members of
the Board of Aldermen were invited. (Copy of invitational notice is attached to
the file copy of these minutes).

27 members attended the meeting and 25 other invited guests also attended.
Lists of those invited, with attendance indicated, is also attached to the
file copy of these minutes.

Agenda of the meeting is attached to the file copy of these minutes.

Chairman Alexander called the meeting to order promptly at 3:30 p.m, and
explained the general purpose of the meeting, emphasizing that this was the
first general meeting of the entire membership of the Committee and was called
primarily for the purpose of reviewing the progress of the Housing Resources
Committee during the first year of existence and to consider the Committee's
future course of action.

Mr, Alexander then thanked the Mayor for his support, the Atlanta Housing
Authority, FHA, HUD, Urban America who has given the funds to keep Mr. Gates
with us, the business community, especially the Chamber of Commerce, the Press
(including radio and television), the Developers, the Planning, Construction,
Parks, Water, School and Building Departments and then last, but certainly not
least, the Members of this Committee. Mr. Alexander then called on Mayor Allen
to address the Committee.

Mayor Allen spoke extemporaneously warmly greeting the Committee members and
guests and made very enthusiastic comments as to the work of the Committee and
the progress attained during the first year of the Accelerated Low-income
Housing Program in Atlanta.

Mayor Allen was highly complimentary of the work of the Committee, saying
that it had made a good start and he vowed that the City's 1971 low-income
housing goals would be met.
He cited the steadily decreasing number of housing units of all types
constructed in Atlanta from 1963 through 1966, pointing out that 9,129 units
were permitted in 1963 whereas only 2,382 units of all types were permitted
during 1966. He pointed out that during 1967 (through October) permits for
4,162 units had been issued and he gave credit in a large measure to the Housing
Resources Committee for reversal of the trend.

He was also very complimentary of the efforts of the Housing Authority in
the overall low-income housing program and expressed appreciation to the Federal
Agencies for their .cooperation in support of the program and to the Developers
and others who are making the projects materialize. Copy of Mayor Allen's
comments is attached to the file copy of these minutes.

Copies of the Annual Report of the Housing Resources Committee, including
comments of the Committee's Consultant, Mr. ™. W. Gates, and a Summary of the
Status of the Accelerated Low-income Housing Program, were provided each person
who attended the meeting. Following the meeting, copies were mailed each
person invited, but who did not attend the meeting. The Annual Report was
generally self-explanatory, with a list of contents shown on the first page of
the report.

Because of the self-explanatory nature of the report, it was not discussed
in detail at the meeting. However, Chairman Alexander did call on Malcolm Jones
to explain the principal changes which had taken place in the program since
November 15, 1967 (the date of the Summary).

Mr. Jones explained that the "In Planning" category (6,61) units) shown in
the Summary included 2,230 units, involving approximately 175 acres, still
awaiting the outcome of rezoning, plus 650 additional units shown in that category,
which had been proposed for Turnkey development but for which the rezoning
petition was denied by the Board of Aldermen November 20. He also explained
that included in the 2,230 units, the rezoning for SO units of Public Housing
under the Turnkey development on the Browntown site had been deferred by the
Board of Aldermen until July 1, 1968 and another 180 units under the 221 d (3)
program, proposed by the Butler Street Y¥.M.C.A. had also been deferred indefinitely,

On the other side of the picture Mr. Jones pointed out that 50 additional
units of Public Housing were allocated December 12 for development on land being
turned to the City of Atlanta by the Federal Government (Federal Honor Farm
Number 1).

Mr, Jones also pointed out that units shown as rehabilitated since
November 15, 1966 (7,278 through the Housing Code Division, 212 through the
Housing Authority and 30 by private enterprise) are in addition to the other
tabulated figures shown in the report which are for new construction.

Chairman Alexander then addressed the Committee, thanking the members for
their work and assistance during the past year and expressed regret over the loss
of two prominent members of the Committee, Mr. Charles 0. Emmerich and
Dr. Rufus Clement, who died during the year.
Mr, Alexander then brought out several points which he considered especially
important to success of the program, and addressed the Committee as follows:

"The No. 1-problem is availability of land zoned for housing. Weare
running out. Our record to date is good = for this we must thank Mayor Allen,
the Aldermanic Board for the sites they approved in the face of opposition, the
Atlanta Housing Authority, the Planning Commission and the City Building
Department. JI personally want to thank this Committee for its supdort and
hard work.

Also a word of sincere thanks to the Press, T.V. and Radio for the support
given. Finally, a word of praise for the Developers who have moved into this
program and stuck with it through many adversities.

I want the make the following proposals:

1. A meeting once a month including all of those interested in the problem
of low-income housing. I wuld like to invite the following to join us once:a
month to discuss the problems:

Dan Sweat, representing the Mayor

Alderman Rodney Cook, Chairman, Planning and Development Committee
Alderman John Flanigen, Chairman, Zoning Committee

Collier B. Gladin, Planning Commission

Jim Crawford, Chairman, Planning Commission

Les Persells, Atlanta Housing Authority

Ed Sterne, Chairman, Atlanta Housing Authority

Mr, Sommerville, Chairman, CACUR

Mr. Thigpen, FHA

Representing the Housing Resources Committee will be Colonel Jones, the Chairman
of the Land Acquisition Committee and your Chairman, From time to time other
members of the Committee will be asked to come, It is hoped that this monthly
meeting will present an opportunity to compare progress, problems and plan for
the future, & formal invitation will be sent out shortly.

2. We are firmly dedicated to the principle that efforts should continue
to place housing in all sectors of the City. I wish to recognize and compliment
SWAP for its effort to stabilize housing in one portion of the City, However,
the prime goal of this Committee must be to build new and renovate old housing.
The geography of the city and the cost of land are factors that dictate locations
beyond the best intentions of us all. It is my strongly held opinion that the
elimination of slums is the only sure protection for all sectors of the city.

3. I believe that the efforts to rehabilitate and rebuild our worst slum
areas through Urban Renewal must move ahead,

he I believe that the Central City must be a cross section of the economic
life of our city. At the same time low-income housing is being provided,
medium and high income housing should be encouraged.
5. I urge those who are considering the overall Housing Development
Corporation Fund for Atlanta to continue their efforts to put this fund into
operation at the earliest moment.

6. It is my hope that areas of appropriate size be planned as a cross
section of housing. That areas combine Public Housing and 221 units as well
as units conventionally financed. This should make the units more acceptable
to the surrounding area, create a healthier environment and indicate that
Public Housing will not necessarily blight a neighborhood,

7. It is necessary that the public facilities in a neighborhood be considered
in the placement of housing. In order to speed up the erection of schools and
parks we are looking into the possibility of the developer providing the
facilities and leasing them to the designated public authority.

8. It is necessary to coordinate the social problems in all areas of low-
income housing. We offer our services to the Atlanta Housing Authority and
FHA to help in these areas.

9. We offer our help and cooperation to all the Houving Authorities located
in the Atlanta area; to Marietta, Decatur, East Point, College Park, Lithonia,
Forest Park and DeKalb County, We are convinced that housing is and must be
a problem of concern to the entire metropolitan area,

10. We urge that the land use map now under study by the Planning Commission
be the basis of an amended Zoning Ordinance for the City, Not only in housing,
but in all areas of our City's development, it has become evident that a new
apportionment of land is necessary.

Before closing, I wish to mention and recognize one particular group in
Atlanta which has promise of very worthwhile accomplishments in non-profit
housing ventures; the Interfaith Group, a non-denominational group composed of
representatives from several churches which have recently combined their efforts
and formed a Non-Profit Housing Development Corporation, It is a little early
yet to assess results, but I have hopes that this group may develope some very
worthwhile accomplishments in the non-profit housing field."

Chairman Alexander then opened the meeting to comments from the floor and
discussion by members of the Committee, Specific items covered during the
discussion included the following:

(2) Mr. Palmer asked for explanation of the proposed Housing Development
Corporation; this was explained by Chairman Alexander.

(b) Mr. Stevens commented on the problems involved in relocating families
in the City's lowest income brackets, pointing out that many of them were unable
to pay even the rents required under the 221 d (3) non-profit program.
Mr. Persells pointed out that Public Housing is for this purpose and that the
rents charged for a Public Housing unit were prescribed and are only about 20%
of the families take home income and that for tenants on Public Welfare, additional
payments for rent were included in the welfare disbursements; that minimum rents
for Public Housing in Atlanta are about $26 per month.
(c) In further response to this item Mr. Alexander pointed out that rents
in non-profit developments are affected by the following: (1) Land costs;
(2) Restrictions on prefabs - codes; (3) Rent supplement - substantial
subsidies; and (\) Availability of adequate jobs for tenants.

(ad) Mr. Millican commented on the lack of corresponding developments for
low-income housing in neighboring cities and counties. He pointed out that if
Atlanta continues to build low-income housing and the other surrounding areas
do not (with few exceptions), he saw no opportunity for the City of Atlanta to
ever catch up; that we would continue to attract the poor and jobless from the
surrounding areas and concentrate them within the City of Atlanta. In partial
response to this Mr. Persells pointed out that in order to discourage this
the Housing Authority has recently adopted a policy requiring a year's residence
within the City Limits of Atlanta, before applicants become elligible for
Public Housing,

(e) Mr. Alexander pointed out that the CIP requirements and the goals
toward which this Committee is working for the 5 year program are intended for
replacement housing only (for those displaced by governmental action) and does
not include any increase due to normal growth and in migration.

(f) Mr. Saporta commented on the need for review and revision of the
building codes in the City of Atlanta to permit the advantages of reduced
costs through improved materials and advanced technologies, now being reflected
in prefabrication.

(g) Mr. Alston suggested that the difficulty being encountered in obtaining
available sites for low-income housing might be overcome by using greater
densities on land that is available,

(h) Rev. Boarders commented that he did not think that the City should
place any restrictions on length of residency in the City of Atlanta for Public
Housing applicants; that he felt the City was capable and able to house all
commers and should encourage them to come into the City of Atlanta, regardless
of lack of jobs and education; that these could and should be provided by
Atlanta after they get here. Mr. Millican commented that he did not agree
with some of the suggestions offered by Rev. Boarders.

(i) Dr. Jackson, Chairman of the Social Problems Panel, HRC, commented on
the importance of social consideration in the planning and development of all
low-income housing projects.

(j) Mr. Weltner, former Chairman of the Legal Panel, HRC, commented on the
personal efforts and hard work of Chairman Alexander as being largely responsible
for the success and progress of the City's accomplishments in the low-income
housing field during the past year and made a motion that such be recognized
by the Committee as a whole and the adoption of a resolution expressing these
sentiments and thanking Chairman Alexander for his personal efforts and apable
leadership. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
(k) Mr. Saporta pointed out that within a 10 minutes walk of City Hall
there is at least 1's million square feet of building space, previously used
by industry and warehousing, which is now vacant and serving no useful purposc.
He suggested that it would be well for consideration to be given to developing
some means of utilizing this available space for low-income housing.

(1) Mr. Carter of the Community Relations Commission staff pointed out
that many good substantial houses are being demolished in the path of Expressway
construction, particularly in the densely developed area in the eastern part of
the City. He commented on how wasteful this appears to be in utilization of
standard housing and suggested that some plan be developed for relocating many
of these structures in other areas rather than demolishing them. Mr. Alexander
commented that this was an excellent idea and that from a practical standpoint
he saw no reason why such could not be done.

As the allotted time for the meeting had expired the meeting was adjourned
at h:hS p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

} oun *
Vrcleccen, pe) | LOM 8 ky
Malcolm D. Jones
Supervisor of Inspection Services

Enels: 1. Invitational notice,
(with file 2. List of those invited.
copy only) 3. Agenda.
h. Mayor Allen's comments.
5S. Annual Report, with two enclosures,

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR