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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.

What’s Happened

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, many of our neighbors have lost their jobs and find themselves in a sea of financial uncertainty. 

For those without work, looking for a job is hard even in good economic times, but in the wake of a global public health crisis, — it can be truly daunting.

According to recent data released by the Georgia Department of Labor, our state has an 11.9% unemployment rate. Moreover, more than 1.3 million Georgians have filed for unemployment, which represents a little under ⅓ of our state’s labor force. 

Remember that just a short time ago that number was at 3.1% — the lowest ever on record. So many of our fellow Georgians entire lives have changed in what likely felt like an instant. We must all do our part to help them get back on their feet.

Resources and Tips

There are resources being provided by many groups across the metro Atlanta area that are dedicated to helping those out of work return to employment.

1. Employment Workshop | Roswell United Methodist Church

Join Katherine Simmons and Jay Litton, co-leaders of Roswell United Method Church, on the second and fourth Monday of each month, for a live interview where they will discuss job networking and other topics, including:

• Do you know the key factors to finding a job?  
• Do you have a mentor to guide you though the path to new employment?
• Do you have a plan, are you prepared and practiced to have a GREAT interview?

For more than 25 years, Roswell United Methodist church has been providing employment workshops, ‘mini’ job fairs and evening dinners with keynote speakers to those in need of employment or job readiness. The program itself exists to teach job seekers how to begin and sustain a job, while providing emotional support and encouragement. 

Learn more about upcoming events, here: https://bit.ly/3etn4lr

2. WorkSource Fulton | Resources, Trainings and More

According to their website, WorkSource Fulton exists in an effort to “assist Fulton County residents and metropolitan Atlanta area employers in developing and sustaining a world-class workforce that realizes viable incomes and benefits, thus strengthening their families and neighborhoods.”

WorkSource Fulton provides a multitude of resources not only for job seekers, but also for employers, along with a wide variety of programs, interactive trainings and youth services.

Find out more about how they can assist you, here: https://bit.ly/2TL1xN4 

3. Atlanta Regional Commission | Job Hunting Tips

The Atlanta Regional Commission recently published an article on their What’s Next ATL website that provides five tips for those who are seeking jobs during the COVID-19 crisis.

• Tip 1: Create a Game Plan
• Tip 2: Networking
• Tip 3: Polish Your Resume
• Tip 4: Know Your Strengths
• Tip 5: Interview Preparation

Read the full article, here: https://bit.ly/3etA0b6

4. Jay Litton | Mastering the Job Interview

Watch this insightful clip from a speech made by Jay Litton, creator of the WoW! Interview and founder of Roswell United Methodist Church’s Job Networking program that we mentioned above, on how you can NAIL your next job interview!

Plus, sign up with your email address and receive 11 additional interview listens that will teach you how to prepare, how to frame past success in the best way and much more.

Watch and learn more, here: https://bit.ly/36Cikao

5. Maximum Monday | Employers Hiring Today

Check out this awesome resource to learn about all of the employers and companies that are currently hiring in the metro Atlanta area. 

Not only does this resource list jobs, but it also links to the website or contact information for job seekers to apply for the jobs themselves. Plus, this site is updated each week on Mondays, so the information is always current!

Read about any and all potential job opportunities, here: https://bit.ly/3empcLEFor more helpful resources and local news, follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Sandy Springs.

• 

It’s census time!

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2020 Census in Sandy Springs, and why it is so important for you to fill it out!

What Is The Census? 

The Census is distributed every 10 years, and is used to gather information about the populations and communities all over the country. 

In this data-driven era, you are right to be cautious about giving out your personal information. Companies are constantly trying to gather as much information about you to personalize their advertisements and products for you. 

However…

The Census is NOT like that at all. You CAN TRUST the Census! 

This is the one place that you WANT to give your information. 

The questions are simple and non-invasive. Check out some sample questions here. 

What Is This Information Used For?

The Census information is used to help represent you, and your community, in a bigger picture. 

Here are some of the ways that the Census information is used:

• To determine the number of seats that each state has in the House of Representatives
• To show where communities need new schools, hospitals, roads, restaurants, factories, and other critical operations
• To decide how billions of dollars are allocated into different programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start, block grants for community development projects like sidewalks and mental health services, education programs, school lunch programs, and housing vouchers.  
• To adjust or redraw electoral and congressional districts

The list goes on and on, but the bottom line is that the Census is designed to HELP us. 

What About Sandy Springs?

The Census has already been a huge help to our city.

Have you noticed all of the sidewalks along Roswell Road? MIles of that came from money based on Census data. Also, just this month, the City was able to bring in about $384,000 in COVID-19 CARES Act funding based on our previous Census data!  

If we want more federal funding coming to our city, we need everyone to complete the census! 

The city of Sandy Springs has put together a Resident Guide on their website with a lot of local information regarding the Census. 

The Census can help influence so many aspects of our community!

• Highway Planning 
• Construction
• Public Transit Systems
• Support for our Schools
• Prevent Child Abuse
• Respond to Natural Disasters
• Restore Wildlife
• Provide Housing Assistance

Think about your daily routine. 

Maybe you’ve noticed your favorite coffee shops or restaurants are too crowded. Maybe you run into traffic on your way to or from work. Maybe you wish you had newer businesses popping up around town, or maybe you just wish you had relief from a global pandemic. 

The Census could be the solution to all of those problems! 

Let’s Represent Sandy Springs Accurately!

Every person counts.

In order to accurately and appropriately fund and provide for our city, we need everyone to complete the Census! 

It takes only a couple of minutes, and you can do it from the safety of your own home!

Complete the 2020 Census Here! 

Editor’s Note: Sandy Springs Together periodically publishes letters or comments from community members who raise a concern we feel should be considered by the broader community.

Please let us hear your thoughts.

By Mary Baron

Mr. Fred Rogers had a famous quote about confronting difficult, scary times.

“My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world!”

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing many of these very “helpers” in our Sandy Springs community. On the frontlines of this crisis are the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are risking their own health to keep us safe and healthy.

But, there are others whose work has largely gone unnoticed in the past who are now being recognized as crucially important in our daily lives and in the success of our local businesses. We owe a debt of gratitude to these people who are continuing to work. 

The cashiers and grocery store employees who ensure that we can still get food on our tables. The school cafeteria workers who make food so that local children can get a meal even though schools are closed. The delivery truck drivers who are getting necessary items to stores and our homes. Janitorial staff, warehouse workers, senior caregivers, bank tellers, the list goes on and on.

Of course, we should all say a thank you to the helpers whenever possible (and if you are able, tip generously). Another way to show our appreciation for these members of our community is to ensure that they have a home here in Sandy Springs. As essential as their services are, many of these people are not paid well and struggle to afford to live in our city.

On March 18, 2020 the City Council announced a Request for Proposals to find a qualified consultant to do a comprehensive housing needs assessment. Sandy Springs Together is pleased that the city is moving forward with this important analysis of our city’s housing situation. We are hopeful that this assessment will help the city understand the needs of all the people working in our city. 

While Mayor Paul has stated that this study is broader than just an affordable housing study, the Request for Proposals states that the assessment will look at “the market rate and availability of rental units across the City” and will include a “discussion of whether or not renters are being priced out of the Sandy Springs rental market”.

Several years ago, the city examined housing needs in its “Next 10 Plan: Workforce Housing Element” which was approved in April of 2016. The Workforce Housing Element stated that “precisely how to define ‘workforce’ households is something that Sandy Springs will have to decide as part of the process of developing its own local policy. In other words, what specific group of households does the City want to target?”. 

After considering possible models created by HUD or the Urban Land Institute, the city settled on the definition of workforce households as those in the $65,000 to $100,000 range arguing that “Workforce Housing … targets more moderate income households.” 

As a result of this definition of workforce housing, the city then concluded that it should focus on the development of new for-sale housing at the $341,600 price point and supported this conclusion with an example of a couple employed as a firefighter and a nurse making a combined income of $111,100 per year. The 2020 Request for Proposals for a housing needs assessment also points to this 65,000 to $100,000 income range.

But, is this income level the appropriate definition of workforce households at this point in time?

The source of the data regarding Sandy Springs income levels in the 2016 Workforce Housing Element was the American Community Survey dated 2009-2013 and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Atlanta MSA from 2014. Much of this information may be outdated and may not reflect the present situation. The COVID019 pandemic is creating tremendous economic upheaval with high unemployment and business closings. 

While there is hope that this will be a short term recession, there is a possibility that this will impact our economy for quite a while. In light of this, the presumptions made in that 2016 document will need to be reevaluated.

In addition, the example given of a two-income household with a combined income of $111,100 doesn’t take into consideration the fact that many young people have high levels of student loan debt to pay off. The Federal Reserve reports that student loan debt is having a strong effect on homeownership. Between 2004 and 2014 outstanding student loan balances more than doubled for individuals ages 24 to 32 and in surveys young adults report that their student loan debts are preventing them from buying a home. 

In light of these economic changes, $341,000 may no longer be a realistic price point for workforce homebuyers.

It is great progress that our city is assessing our housing needs. It is a conversation that we have been advocating for. Hopefully, it will be inclusive of all the workers in our city.