CONTENTS Our President & CEO 3 Our Board Chairman 4 Our Vision 7 Our Mission 9 LIVE 17 Our Portfolio 21 Our Property Owners 25 Our Neighborhood 27 COVID-19 31 Our Pivot 33 WORK 35 Serving Our Residents 39 Empowering Our Community 41 Telling Our Story 45 THRIVE 49 Our Human Development Services 53 Our Community Empowerment 57 Content Strategy and Creative Direction, LaConia J. Dean Our Employee Engagement 61 Content Development, Nina Reeder and Rashel Malone Production Management, Keven Williams Graphic Design, Barri Jones Our Culture 63 Contributors, Yann Mondon and Shanna Wallace Produced by Office of Communications, Marketing & Public Engagement Our Promise Karen Young, Senior Vice President 67 OUR OUR BOARD PRESIDENT & CEO CHAIRMAN longside the sudden transitions required by The year 2020 was like no other. The highly contagious the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, coronavirus (COVID-19) struck our nation, sparking a our country faced intense cultural clashes series of complex challenges from rising unemployment A and debated about what sacrifices are required and underemployment rates to evolving health and to create the world we want to live in. As Atlanta safety concerns and compounding hardships on Housing continues its mission, we must remain already-stressed populations. Sadly, many low-income engaged, compassionate, and even brave enough essential workers earning below a livable wage absorbed to approach the matter of affordable housing as the brunt of these negative outcomes, as they were sent one of social justice and equity, and as a moral into the front lines, at high risk to their own wellbeing, imperative and human right. to keep our city operating safely. We owe them a great debt. Through the pandemic, we witnessed the rise of the essential employee. Seen as heroes, these In this moment, our mission at Atlanta Housing is as same people who kept the country running important as ever. When tragedy struck, we were at the often earn well below a livable wage and teeter on the brink of homelessness, battlefront serving those most impacted and protecting family separation, and illness. The AH Board of Commissioners and AH staff are those most vulnerable. AH was there to fight for those at committed to expanding housing opportunities for these families and creating risk of eviction and homelessness, and for the families, opportunities for job placement, training, and entrepreneurship. “The pandemic may workers, seniors, and disabled persons in need of supportive pathways and career opportunities to get I am particularly proud of our Section 3 program, a HUD through this uncertain time. have closed our mandate to support public housing participants and low-income city residents through entrepreneurship physical doors, but Our company culture of compassion and purpose made and active contracting opportunities with AH and “ continuing our efforts through the pandemic possible. This year challenged its partners. In 2020, AH fully committed to this even in the virtual When times got tough, Atlanta Housing remained program and its aims with the launch of a resident focused on the work. We expanded housing opportunities us to reimagine environment we are entrepreneurship program that produced 23 resident by nearly 1,000 more households served than in FY graduates. our world, our work, opening doors to 2019. We created additional opportunities for job placement, career training, and entrepreneurship; and we This year challenged us to reimagine our world, our and how we quality living—for all. implemented new service measures to minimize the risk work, and how we connect to others. It also renewed of the virus spread to our seniors and families. I’ve never connect to others. our commitment to our agency’s values. This end- been more proud of the exceptional work of this dynamic of-year report celebrates our residents and their staff. It also renewed our “ successes; and it captures our impact and highlights the people within AH who do the work that drives our commitment to our As we continue to build pathways to self-sufficiency mission and make it possible to serve our residents and open doors to opportunity, I invite you to celebrate holistically. agency’s values. Atlanta Housing’s vision, mission and promise as outlined in this report through the succcesses of our Christopher Edwards, M.D. Thank you for your continued support and trusting us – – Eugene E. Jones, Jr. residents, the impact of our work, and the dedication Chairman of the Board “ President & CEO to do this life-changing work. of our employees. The pandemic may have closed our physical doors, but even in the virtual environment we are opening doors to quality living—for all. 3 4 OUR FOUNDATION ur story begins with AH founders Charles Forrest Palmer, a successful The history of Atlanta Housing is rooted in a real estate developer of his era, and sturdy foundation of serving others. Eighty- O two years later, the legacy continues. To Dr. John Hope, a civil rights leader and the first Black president of Morehouse College. follow in the footsteps of our pioneering Recognizing the impoverished conditions of founders is a privilege. To provide access Atlanta’s most destitute communities, Palmer to quality affordable housing and tools for and Hope sought civic change that would independence so that our families can Live, rebuild those neighborhoods into communities Work, and Thrive is an honor. of promise, worth, and increase. With funding provided by the Public Works Administration (PWA) under Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives, Palmer and Hope teamed together to construct the all-White Techwood Homes and all-Black University Homes. Construction The history of began in 1934, and these communities became the first federally subsidized public Atlanta Housing housing in the United States. Nationwide, is rooted in a they would serve as shining examples and empirical proof of the power of community sturdy foundation support. of serving others. Eighty-two years later, the legacy 82 continues. 5 6 OUR VISION THE ATLANTA HOUSING APPROACH TO COMMUNITY IS PEOPLE FOCUSED. WE CREATE COMMUNITIES WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN LIVE AFFORDABLY, WORK PRODUCTIVELY, AND THRIVE WELL INTO THE FUTURE. 7 8 OUR MISSION ATLANTA HOUSING AIMS TO INCREASE QUALITY, EQUITABLE HOUSING OPTIONS ACROSS THE CITY OF ATLANTA WHILE INVESTING IN THE FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND CITIZENS WE SERVE. 9 10 OUR VALUES ATLANTA HOUSING BELIEVES IN THE POTENTIAL OF PEOPLE. AS WE STRIVE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY HOUSING FOR ALL, WE CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF THOSE WE SERVE AND WAYS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND SURROUNDINGS. 11 12 OUR FAMILIES 95% OF OUR FAMILIES MAKE LESS THAN $33,750 10,042 ATLANTA HOUSING SERVES WORKING FAMILIES LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES, VETERANS, THE DISABLED, AND AT-RISK POPULATIONS. MOST OF OUR WORKING FAMILIES ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL WORKERS, YET THEY STRUGGLE TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. 13 14 OUR COMMITMENT ATLANTA HOUSING DOESN’T JUST HOUSE PEOPLE. WE ALSO EMPOWER PEOPLE THROUGH SERVICES AND RESOURCES THAT LEAD TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, INCLUDING HOMEOWERSHIP. 15 16 LIVE. STRATEGY 1 INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS 19 LIVE LIVE 20 OUR PORTFOLIO 3. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (HCVP) Housing Choice provides more than 11,000 households with the means to obtain affordable 1. HOMEFLEX housing. Also known as Section 8, the HCVP (FORMERLY PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE) lets families identify quality housing anywhere in the city or outside of Atlanta without paying more than 30 percent of adjusted income toward HCVP served more than Atlanta Housing encourages private- their rent and utilities. AH pays the portion of 11,000 households sector owners of single-tenant and family The HomeFlex program the rent not covered by the families. Recent developments to reserve a portion of their enhancements to HCVP, such as technology with the help of units for eligible residents. This rental provides more than improvements, landlord referral incentives, tenant assistance, which is tied to the unit—not 6,320 affordable education programs, and a damage protection 1,049 new units the tenant—offers long-term, affordable plan, help to retain and attract quality property provided by landlord options for our residents. housing units, including owners. 504 new units partners. introduced to the portfolio in FY 2020. 2. ATLANTA HOUSING-OWNED COMMUNITIES AND RAD CONVERSIONS AH is committed to preserving and improving our AH-owned public housing (PH) units, which currently serve our seniors, disabled adults, In FY 2020, and small families. Through the Housing and 918 units Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, AH partners with were preserved as private developers in a long-term agreement affordable through RAD. to rehabilitate and convert aging PH units into Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV) or Project- An additional Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) units, while 650 units guaranteeing they remain fully affordable to low- income residents. are slated for FY 2021. 21 LIVE LIVE 22 OUR PORTFOLIO 4. DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE (DPA) AH’s homeownership program provides low-to-moderate income homebuyers with financial assistance to purchase homes within the city of Atlanta. After meeting the program requirements, recipients Thanks to AH, I am a can receive up to $13,000, with public “ safety officers, education and health care proud homeowner. Now professionals, and veterans being eligible to receive up to $25,000. This program is solely I truly understand the funded through AH reserves. power of independence and managing my “ money wisely. – LaKterrie Grooms, Field Traffic Controller To date, AH provided & DPA recipient $4,914,869 in down payment assistance through 232 awards to eligible first-time homebuyers. 23 LIVE LIVE 24 OUR We stand with Atlanta PROPERTY OWNERS “Housing’s [mission]. Our Rent Estimate Tool offers an easy-to- We are always PARTNER UP PROGRAM use resource for our property owners and willing to provide interested investors to enter property-specific artner UP’s collaboration with real information and receive an estimate within a affordable housing..