In 1996, The Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) created the financial and legal model for mixed-income communities or MICs, that is, communities with both owners and renters of differing income levels, that include public-assisted housing as a component. This model is used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOPE VI revitalization program. As of 2011, it has resulted in all housing projects having been demolished, with partial replacement by MICs.[1]
The first of these, Centennial Place, has been recognized by HUD and the Urban Land Institute. As of 2007, Centennial Place had a math, science and technology-focused elementary school, a YMCA, a branch bank, a child-care facility and retail shops. There were plans to include homeownership units.[2]
In 2011, the agency also tore down the Roosevelt House and Palmer House senior-citizen high-rises and relocated residents into other properties.[3] However, the John O. Chiles and Cosby Spear senior citizen high rises remained open.[2]
AHA took advantage of relaxed federal rules in effect through 2010 to raze all remaining communities. The agency offered residents who qualified a variety of relocation options and long-term assistance that included federal rent-assistance vouchers good anywhere in the country.[4] However, not all residents qualified for the vouchers.
- ^ "AHA Web site". October 7, 2003. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
- ^ a b "Atlanta Journal-Constitution". April 29, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
- ^ Ariel Hart, "Atlanta building -- and old public housing model -- demolished", 'Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 27, 2011
- ^ "Atlanta Journal-Constitution". February 14, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.