What’s New
After a recent decision by the Sandy Springs City Council, our city has hired a group of consultants that will finally analyze the housing situation in Sandy Springs.
However, there is a BIG caveat. The city only wants to look at housing for those who earn between $65,000 and $100,000.
The Issue
Is this really a sufficient housing study if we are excluding all workers and families that make less than $65,000?
Odds are, at one point in your career you made less than $65,000. The truth is that everyone starts somewhere. Why punish them for it?
But here’s why this matters even more right now. The same essential workers that have stood on the frontlines of our response to the COVID-19 crisis; done their absolute best to keep us safe, healthy and out of harm’s way; educated our student’s despite ever-changing classroom dynamics — aren’t being considered.
Many of those same hard-working men and women will be LEFT OUT simply because they don’t fall in the city’s chosen income range. This is just plain wrong.
The Facts
Let’s start with the topline: The city’s chosen income range for their housing study is $65,000 to $100,00.
Now, let’s break down who that doesn’t include. And these numbers might surprise you.
Did you know that starting pay for nurses in Sandy Springs is around $50,000? Many of them won’t be included.
Did you know that teachers in Fulton County start with a salary of $44,892. Yep, that means so many of our dedicated teachers won’t be included in the city’s affordable housing study.
And how about our preschool teachers, who can earn just $19,000 a year? That’s just one-third of the income required to fit within the city’s income range for affordable housing.
The sad truth is that the typical salary for these essential services just doesn’t provide enough for a home in Sandy Springs — whether it’s rental or ownership.
For Sandy Springs to thrive, make sure that ALL the people who make Sandy Springs strong are able to live here.
How You Can Help
Make your voice heard. Make Sandy Springs the best place to live, for everyone who makes this city stronger.
You can join with our voices to make a change. But we must act quickly.
Take immediate action on this crisis. Sign the petition now to do what’s best for the residents of Sandy Springs.
Once you’ve signed it, share the petition link with your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. Urge them to sign it and do the same.
When we work together, we can make a difference.
