Housing affordability has become the foremost concern among Atlanta residents, as highlighted by the 2025 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey conducted by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The survey revealed that 28% of respondents identified housing affordability as the region’s most pressing issue, surpassing concerns about traffic and crime. Notably, 62% of participants indicated they could not afford to move to another home within their current neighborhood, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
The city has experienced a significant loss of low- to moderately priced housing units, with approximately 230,000 such units disappearing between 2018 and 2023. This decline has intensified the challenges faced by residents seeking affordable housing options.
In response to these challenges, Habitat for Humanity, in collaboration with the Carter Work Project, has initiated the development of 24 affordable housing units in Atlanta’s Sylvan Hills neighborhood. This project, named Langston Park, includes a mix of single-family homes and multifamily townhomes, marking Habitat Atlanta’s first venture into townhome construction. The initiative aims to provide stable housing for residents like Ozzy Herrera and Phileena Daniel, who have faced housing insecurity.
Additionally, the city is preparing its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, a strategic framework to identify housing and community development needs. This plan will guide the use of federal funds to address the housing crisis and improve community development.
While these efforts are steps in the right direction, the scale of the housing affordability crisis in Atlanta requires sustained and comprehensive strategies to ensure that all residents have access to affordable and stable housing.