An affordable housing development in English Avenue was almost stopped due to a stream buffer issue. However, a city council member introduced new legislation to decrease the stream buffer from 75 feet to 50 feet for affordable housing developments, allowing the project to move forward.

Affordable Housing Development

The $3 million project, funded by public and private partners, includes six two-bedroom affordable housing units and two mixed-use retail storefronts. The development is located at 880 North Avenue and is now leasing units to residents earning between 50 and 80 percent of the area median income.

Developer OaksATL, a nonprofit community organization, encountered significant barriers during the five-year process, including tracking down the owner of the vacant property and dealing with the stream buffer issue. District 3 Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos proposed the new city ordinance to decrease the stream buffer, which was approved and allowed the project to proceed.

The development is part of the city’s efforts to address the lack of housing and necessary amenities in the community. OaksATL founder and Executive Director Matt Maxwell said the development was built to provide quality, affordable places to live and access to jobs, grocery stores, and necessary services.

Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.