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Assignment Community Assessment

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Assignment Community Assessment

Many cities in the international community tend to have problems regarding some areas.

Concerning this, it is important to evaluate the type of problems affecting the development of

these cities. Crime, pollution, overpopulation, high level of insecurity, unemployment, and

congestion are some of the issues that need to be considered when it comes to an understanding

of what it entails to live in environments such as Atlanta, GA. Atlanta serves as one of the most

populated cities in the United States. It is associated with the State of Georgia. It comprises about

506,811, becoming the 37th most populated city in the country (Census Report, 2021). The

company's position makes it instrumental in promoting cultural and economic developments

through its metropolitan area.

Since its formation in 1847, Atlanta, GA, city has continued to experience rapid

expansion due to its location as a convergence for multiple railroads. Despite the positive image

established by the city in the international community, issues are surrounding its community.

Just like any other urban community, issues with congestion among residents has increased

housing problems. Many people are moving into the city to search for employment opportunities.

The situation has created a need to develop a plan that focuses on ensuring access to housing

affordability. The same applies to creating employment opportunities due to its mutual

relationship to affording to the house. Understanding the community and the housing

affordability challenge would be important in developing the right plan for its improvement.

Understanding Atlanta, GA as a Community

An evaluation of the city in the last decade shows significant changes in the socio-

economic and political developments. The theory of urbanization would significantly apply to

the growing nature and expansion of the Atlanta, GA community. Like any other growing city,
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Atlanta has continued to attract many individuals who have been instrumental in causing some

congestion. The situation has seen some need to improve policies in terms of housing

affordability in the sector. Due to the increasing number of residents and increasing living

standards, the situation has continued to experience rent evolution. The prices of houses have

continued to go higher compared to before. The prices of houses are also beyond a reasonable

level. This is a mirror of what is going on when measuring the standard of living in the city. For

example, in the last ten years, the prices of rent in Atlanta have gone six times higher than

before.

The situation has created an interesting perspective regarding the nature of housing. More

renters continue to move to the suburbs. Compared to 2010, it is evident that more renters prefer

living in the suburbs compared to the city. When it comes to Atlanta, more people rent because

they have to work in the city. The doubling nature of rent is somehow a major issue that should

be taken into consideration. The main reason is that the city also has its population suffering

from high unemployment rates, which creates difficulties among individuals in affording their

rent (Tubelo et al., 2021). Another important change over the last decade has seen many people

moving in and out of the city. Due to the developments in terms of entertainment, fashion, and

migration of IT companies from Silicon Valley into the city, many individuals from different

parts of the country and new work are moving into the city to look for greener pastures. This will

be a major problem in the years to come because it may cause congestion, increased insecurity,

and pollution, among others.

Community Assessment of Atlanta

An increase in population is a major issue for any urban area. The main reason is that it

causes significant problems such as congestion. Concerning congestion, it increases the demand
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for housing. The city of Atlanta has continued to experience housing problems due to the

demand that is placed by the increasing number of residents migrating and settling into the city.

Like any other major city in the United States, Atlanta’s housing market has continued struggling

to keep up with its demand in the last ten years. The situation has been about the number of built

houses being slashed in half than the past decade. Due to an increase in demand for residential

real estate, there is a logjam associated with scarcity of homes, mostly on the supply side—many

millennials, who have comprised a majority of homebuyer’s share-continue marry and have

children.

These millennials come to the city to join the entertainment, fashion, and employment

positions resulting in Silicon Valley companies moving into the city. The situation has led to

multiple bidding on the same housing properties, creating an increase in prices. Affordability

issue has been a natural occurrence in the city. The main issue is how the future will be as more

people continue to move into the city. Social stratification is another major issue that should be

considered when it comes to looking into housing affordability in Atlanta. The future of housing

affordability has created questions regarding how individuals will comfortably live and work in

the city. For this, it would be important to focus on a plan that would be instrumental in ensuring

positive outcomes in housing affordability.

Community Action Plan to address the Housing affordability Problem

The main issue, in this case, is to ensure the creation of a plan focusing on ensuring

affordability in housing. The housing affordability action plan serves as a bold framework in

ensuring that there is a positive pathway to promoting affordability and equitable housing

opportunities for individuals living in the city. With an increase in Atlanta’s population, it would

be important to introduce a plan focusing on creating affordable housing among city residents.
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One house-one person plan is an instrumental plan that will create opportunities in terms of

individuals having to access affordable housing (Jelks et al., 2021). One house-one person plan

will be about creating more than 20,000 affordable homes in the next six years. This will be

important when an increase in the overall supply. With the plan, it would be important to

leverage vacant public land.

The land will be instrumental in influencing the building of housing. The other step will

be about creating and expanding affordability tools associated with housing. It would be crucial

to revise the important zoning code. The government will have to introduce an investment kitty

of approximately $ 2 billion to produce and preserve affordable housing. It should be about

maximizing different funding sources. The plan will also create a framework for ensuring that

individuals can apply for loans and grants to build their houses. Private housing should be at the

centre of the plan because it ensures development in enabling individuals to access affordable

housing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the City of Atlanta has experienced problems relating to housing

affordability for the longest period. The issue has been about the increase in the number of

individuals coming to the city. With this, it becomes important to focus on ensuring a plan that

reduced the amount of rent charged to the population. The paper has shown that it is crucial to

ensure that individuals can live comfortably without increasing rent. The plan is about creating

innovation and streamlining processes involved in promoting more houses to be established in

different parts of the city. Introducing a plan that ensures low rent levels in the city is

instrumental in enabling individuals to balance between paying their bills and finding better
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employment opportunities. This will try to control congestion in the streets, mostly for homeless

individuals who would prefer the streets to support their living.

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References

Census Report. (2021). Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area. Census Report

Official Website. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US12060-atlanta-sandy-

springs-alpharetta-ga-metro-area/

Jelks, N. T. O., Jennings, V., & Rigolon, A. (2021). Green gentrification and health: A scoping

review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(3), 907.

Tubelo, R., Rodrigues, L., Gillott, M., & Zune, M. (2021). Comfort within Budget: Assessing the

Cost-Effectiveness of Envelope Improvements in Single-Family Affordable

Housing. Sustainability, 13(6), 3054.

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