Box 18, Folder 25, Document 33

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Box 18, Folder 25, Document 33

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MINUTES
EXECUTIVE GROUP, HOUSING RESOURCES COMMITTEE
November 2, 1967

The Executive Group of the Housing Resources Committee met at 10:00 a.m,
November 2, 1967, in Committee Room #2, City Hall. The following members were
present:

Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman, Housing Resources Committee

Mr. Archer D. Smith, Chairman, Legal Panel

Mr. Robert Winn, representing Dr. Edwin Harrison, Chairman, Construction
and Design Panel

Mrs. Sujette Crank, representing Dean William S. Jackson, Chairman,
Social Problems Panel

Mr. Malcolm D. Jones, Director

Mr. W. W. Gates, Consultant

Also present were invited guests, including:

Mr. Dan E. Sweat Jr., Director of Governmental Liaison

Mr. Hall Ware, Attorney, Assisting the Finance and Non-Profit Funds Panel

Mr. J. H. Robinson, Community Development Coordinator

Mr. J. C. Johnson, City Planner

Mrs. Xernona Clayton and Mr. Noyes Collinson, both of American Friends
Service Committee, representing SWAP

Representatives of the Press

The Chairman, Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, presided. Minutes of the
October 23, 1967, joint meeting with the Planning Department were briefly
reviewed. Mr. Alexander expressed his intention of appointing a small Committee
to review the "Joint" report recently released, to recommend position which
this Committee should take with respect to some features of the report; that
although some members of this Committee had participated in preliminary discussions
during preparation of the report, but due to pressure of time, no member of
this Committee had an opportunity to review the report before it was released.

Mr. Alexander also reported on a recent meeting with representatives
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. A tract of land containing
approximately 95 acres near the Federal Penitentiary and new being used as
the prison farm was discussed. It was indicated that this land could be
transferred to the City of Atlanta for a housing site, if suitable development
plans for use of the land are submitted by the City for HUD's approval.
Mr. Alexander reported that he had received a communication from the City
stating that the additional tempory Clerk position, requested by the HRC to
assemble information in the form called for by the CIP on low-income housing
developments, would not be provided, but instead the Planning Department had
recently employed a person to obtain and provide this Committee with such
information.

Mr. Ware reported that the Finance and Non-profit Funds Panel is to meet
soon with Mr. John Sibley and the Board of Directors of Atlanta Civic Enterprises
and representatives of EOA to determine their attitude toward the formation and
financing of the proposed non-profit Atlanta Housing Development Corporation.

Mr. Gates commented on the progress being made in Atlanta by non-profit
housing sponsors on housing projects for low and moderate income groups. He
also distributed a list of the sponsors who are actively participating and those
who have expressed a desire to do so. It was noted that several church sponsors
are in need of assistance in providing seed money, It was also pointed out
that All Saints Episcopal Church is interested in becoming a sponsor and that it
has available funds. Mr. Alexander commented on the Interfaith group and stated
that they have applied for a non-profit corvoration charter. He also advised
that the Loridan Foundation is assisting in the financing of a proposed project
sponsored by the Butler Street YMCA.

Mr. Alexander discussed the Urban Coalition and sugsested participation by
the HRC,

Mr. Dan Sweat explained the functions of the Urban Coalition Committee and
its present composition. He expressed a desire that the Housing Resources
Committee keep the channels of communication open on housing matters with the
Urban Coalition Committee and anticipated that the HRC would become the housing
arm and spokesman on housing matters of the local Urban Coalition, It was
moved, seconded and motion adopted that this Committee will act accordingly.

Mr, Jones presented a summary of rezoning (Principal Sites) for Low-income
Housing during 1967 and emphasized the importance which zoning plays in the
overall Low-income Housing program.

Mr. Smith offered the services of the Legal Panel to assist on Zoning
matters and pointed out that although he favors a City-wide approach on rezoning
through up-dating of the City's Land-Use Plan, rather than rezoning of specific
sites for individual projects, still that the latter is the only way in which
rezoning is being accomplished at the present time, and that we cannot afford
to wait, but must take advantage of opportunities, as they develope on a day=
to-day basis, and assist in getting individual sites, which are suitable and
appropriate, rezoned if we are to meet the goals established for this Committee.

Mr, Alexander proposed calling a special meeting to consider appropriate
activities and procedures for this Committee on matters pertaining to rezoning
of tracts for the Low-income Housing Program. He suggested inviting such people
to the meeting as the Chairman of the Aldermanic Zoning Committee, (Chairman of
the Planning Board) and the Director of Planning.
Mr. Smith also reported the names of two additional attorneys who have
met with and are working with his Panel; he also advised that tax abatement on
housing projects is not now legal in Georgia and agreed to look into the legal
aspects of homestead exemption on co-ops and the feasibility of developers
providing essential Community Facilities, such as schools or outfull sewers,
needed for their projects and leasing such facilities to the City until such
time as public funds could be provided with which to purchase such improvements
from the developers.

Mr. Jones presented and discussed in some detail a list of Proposed Procedures
to assist the Low-income Housing Program (which can be initiated now). He
pointed out that none of the proposed procedures are, or should be, controversial
and that if implemented, should provide consideraltle assistance to the low-
income housing program (copy attached to these minutes). He pointed out that
several of the proposals have already been recently initiated. Due to the small
representation at this meeting, no formal action by the Committee on these
proposals was requested or taken.

During discussion the need for some Emergency Housing in Atlanta was
brought out (as one of the No. 1 problems of the City) and the need of an agency
to administer it. Mr, Alexander proposed sending letters on the matter
simultaneously to EOA, the Housing Authority and the Y's.

Mr. Jones also presented a Summary Report on the Status of the Accelerated
Low-income Housing Program, as of October 30, 1967. (Copy attached to these
minutes). He pointed out several of the principal features of the report and
explained that in order to be more meaningful, the several categories of units
contained in previous reports have been changed now to show those Completed,
Under Construction, In Planning, Being Considered and those proposed, but
which Did Not Materialize. The Summary also shows the number of units in the
first three categories which are being developed as Public Housing, under the
FHA 221 program and under Private Development (conventional financing). It
also shows the comparison and progress made in each category with the 1967-8
goals established in the Mayor's Housing Conference when the accelerated program
was initiated Nov. 15, 1966.

In addition to the figures shown for new construction, the report reflects
accomplishments which have been made in rehabilitation of existing units, which
is considerable. The report also includes a separate Summary of Public Housing
in Atlanta and pertinent notes related to the Low-income Housing Program.

It was pointed out that a comprehensive report is being prepared for
release about Nov. 15, 1st anniversary date of the accelerated Low-income
Housing Program, showing progress made through October 1967. The report is
expected to include a brief narrative of significant factors related to and
connected with the Low-income Housing Program.

Mr, Winn pointed out that a shortage of personnel and funds at Georgia Tech
is preventing adequate treatment of the "System's" approach to residential
construction, in which Tech is very much interested. It was brought out that
North Carolina State has been working on such a program. Mr. Winn pointed out
that the Construction and Design Panel expects to meet soon to rejuvenate and
redirect the Panels! efforts.
Mr, Alexander commented on two additional features:

(1) The necessity for speeding up of the City's long range zoning plans
in connection with revision of the Land-Use Plan, to include adequate sites for
low-income housing; and

(2) The submission of a package deal of several sites in various parts of
the City for simultaneous consideration of rezoning for low-income housing.

Mr. Alexander also commented on the desirability of a general meeting soon
(late November or early December) #f the entire membership of the Housing Resources
Committee to evaluate progress made to date, consider difficulties encountered
and to-chart course of action for the second year of the Low-income Housing
program.

As there was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Wialbe gO yn B
Malcolm D. Jonés RY

Supervisor of Irspection Services

Encls: Invitational Notice
Agenda
Possible Sites for Low-income Housing - Planning Department
Local Non-Profit Housing Sponsors
Urban Coalition
Summary of Rezoning (Principal Sites) for Low-income Housing during 1967,
Proposed Procedures to Assist the Low-income Housing Program
Summary » Status of Accelerated Low-income Housing Program
(All with original only; Summary Report already distributed)

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