The lack of desirable, affordable housing affects every city in our country.
Over the past two decades, the demand for housing in major cities has continued to increase, reversing a generational trend away from the cities that started in the 1970s.
5: MARTA to expand Sandy Springs rail
Change is coming to Sandy Springs. Our job as residents and stakeholders is to manage the change for the best possible outcomes.
MARTA is currently considering the Georgia 400 and Northridge Road area for its next heavy rail station or bus rapid transit stations.
There are two possible locations, which residents of Sandy Springs could and should consider the impact of each:
- Option 1: Intersection of Northridge Rd. & Colquitt Rd.
- According to MARTA, this station would be a “commuter station” like North Springs
- Eliminates economic development potential with no retail;
- Requires the removal of 600 apartments;
- Results in more traffic congestion further into the North End.
- Option 2: Intersection of Dunwoody Place & Roberts Dr. & Georgia 400.
- Potential for “Transportation Oriented Development”
- Boosts economic development in the entire North End via retail;
- Requires only the removal of a single-story office complex;
- Adds value to the surrounding higher density multi-family housing,
- Retains the 600 apartments at the Northridge location;
- Connects and creates additional major employment centers with major population centers;
- Connect easily with Island Ford National Park (a major desirable destination) via a potential Roberts Drive pedestrian/bike bridge;
- Reduces commuter traffic sooner from Roswell and East Cobb by re-routing to a closer station.
Visit all five sections to learn about The Challenge
4: Diverse home ownership options are needed
Demolishing thousands of existing affordable apartments will drive up rents and housing costs throughout Sandy Springs as the people who currently live here will have to find new housing outside the city.
This would make it even harder for middle income teachers, nurses and police officers who work in our community to make it their home.
The solution is not to demolish existing housing but to offer multiple options for entry into home-ownership. Multiple home ownership options will provide for multi-generation families, mixed income communities and long-term residents:
- Converting current, multi-family, rental housing to home-ownership condominiums, facilitates a possible pathway for affordable home-ownership options especially for first-time homebuyers
- New mixed-income home development on under-utilized parcels offers more variety in addressing the next steps on the “ladder”
- There are many federal and state assistance programs for first-time home buyers available for first responders, teachers, and qualified health workers provided that the purchase prices is less than $250,000
Thus, giving many of the current residents an opportunity for wealth accumulation otherwise unattainable in Sandy Springs.
