The Atlanta Housing Authority has received permission for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to demolish Roosevelt House, a 257-unit housing project. HUD notified AHA of its decision on Nov. 26. Roosevelt House was intended for elderly citizens, but over the years the non-elderly population has grown to more than half of the tenants. HUD determined the building was obsolete and that it would not be beneficial or cost-effective to attempt to salvage the structure.
With the decision on Roosevelt House, AHA completes a program initiated in the early 1990s to tear down Atlanta’s housing projects. This program was designed to deconcentrate poverty, and academic studies show that not only do former residents benefit from moving into mainstream housing – crime rates are lower, and educational and job success are greater – but there are large measurable positive impacts on the city.
Meanwhile, AHA is now providing housing to 6,000 more people, generally by rent vouchers, than it did before the demolition of projects began.
Atlanta in the 1930s was the first major city to build housing projects, and within the next few months it will be the first major city to eliminate its major housing projects. AHA will continue to operate two small family projects and a dozen senior citizen high-rise projects.
With the decision on Roosevelt House, AHA completes a program initiated in the early 1990s to tear down Atlanta’s housing projects. This program was designed to deconcentrate poverty, and academic studies show that not only do former residents benefit from moving into mainstream housing – crime rates are lower, and educational and job success are greater – but there are large measurable positive impacts on the city.
Meanwhile, AHA is now providing housing to 6,000 more people, generally by rent vouchers, than it did before the demolition of projects began.
Atlanta in the 1930s was the first major city to build housing projects, and within the next few months it will be the first major city to eliminate its major housing projects. AHA will continue to operate two small family projects and a dozen senior citizen high-rise projects.
1 comments:
Simply a wonderful move! My hat is off to the AHA for their efforts and their improvements to our wonderful city!
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