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City of Atlanta
HOUSING CODE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
Policy and Procedure Guide
February 1, 1967
I. Goalss;
Ae
Maximum efforts immediately to secure public understanding of the goals
and benefits of the Housing Code Compliance Program through use of
personal contact, pamphlets, press releases and other public information
media.
Maximum coordination immediately with all other public agencies who will
be affected by, and need to assist in, the conduct and results of this
progran.
Conservation of those residential structures in good condition to prevent
the spread of blight and decay through encouragement of maintenance efforts
and protection from those conditions such as overcrowding and unauthorized
conversion which lead to blight.
Rehabilitation o£ all substandard residential structures which are presently
unsuitable for human habitation but where improvements can be made at a
reasonable cost to bring them up to standard and where such rehabilitation
does not conflict with other community goals by 1971.
Demolition of all residential structures which are‘unfit for human habita-
tion and where rehabilitation would be prohibitively expensive or would
otherwise conflict with other community goals by 1971.
Review and re-evaluation beginning in 1967 on a continuing basis of those
ee ES ap re -—— =
vehabilitation areas which have been covered in previous years to
determine their need for possible future systematic reinitiation of
total rehabilitation effort. -
Ii, Areas and Priorities;
A. The Housing Conditions Map reflecting the survey made in 1963 has been
brought up-to-date. In this revision, close coordination has been
developed between the Planning Department, the Housing Code Division
and the Director of Governmental Liaison. This has resulted in an
improved plan for a city-wide, systematic, comprehensive Housing Code
Compliance Program. The basic map of the revised survey indicates on
a block basis the following categories.
1. Cong-rvation (Areas which principally require either no improvements
or only minor improvements with occasional rehabilitation).
2. Intensive Conservation (those areas which because of certain factors ©
such as age, transition in occupancy or use, or adverse fringe
influences, etc., require a greater amount of surveillance in order
to forestall blight and decay. These areas will normally require
only minor improvements and spot rehabilitation).
3. Rehabilitation (those areas in which the majority of structures
require rehabilitation which does not exceed 50 per cent of their
value; some spot clearance is. anticipated).
NN 4. Clearance = Code Enforcement (predominately smaller areas where
the majority of structures ultimately should be cleared and the area
xedeveloped. These areas will be inspected for code compliance with
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emphasis on demolition. Should the owner elect to rehabilitate
a structure he will be permitted to do so provided he complies
in £ull with all codes and ordinances,
Title I Urban Renewal (those areas in which the majority of struce
tures should be demolished, with some rehabilitation, and where
the siza and cost of the contemplated action justifies the use of
Title I federal funds).
The map also shows division of the city into halves, for supervisor
responsibility; each of these halves is sub-divided into five Sectors.
Each of these Sectors is assigned to a Housing Code inspector, es his
area of individual responsibility.
The wap also has on it areas of various sizes outlined showing the
neighborhood designation with numbera ranging from '65 to ‘69. ‘These
areas indicate where and when an intensive program of systematic housing
code compliance is to be undertaken on a house to house basis, The
target date assigned to a particular area indicates its relative priority.
Those with a high priority have an early date; those with a lower priority,
a later date,
Priovities for the areas have been based on:
1. ‘The number of compliance inspections which the Housing Code Division
can undertake in one year, while maintaining £r14 city-wide coverage. ‘
The xelationship of xehabliitation areas to surrounding or internal
community activities, community facility development or Title i
Urban Renewal Projects.
Conczai conditions ia the particular area. Those with the most
prascing rchabilitation neada will be undertaken firat.
| The Lony vange goat of complete housing code inspection of substandard
dwailiags by 1970 and complianca in ail designated rehabilitation azeas
by 1972. |
dn additional consideration in subcaquent revisiona will be the nead
for futuse xehabilitation effort in -axveas previously covared os biight
xeccecura. This iter eepresants the first step in the changeover from
a program with o fixed completion date to one oa a coatinuing baste. —
Propocdd Comamity Facility Locations: «© . «- %
4 cup has bean prepared which indicates the location of all proposed
community Lacitidties and highways (axclusiva of uxben renewal projects)
im the City of Atlanta. The locations have been indexed and color coded
to idontify tham and to indicate the agency sesponsible for their executions.
Oreantzation and Adsvintotration: : i | : ah te eC |
&. Porsonnel, Department of Buildinga. .
1, Nousing Code Office .
a. Chief Inspector _ Gateattie «CD
b. Field Supervisors 2 pay A)
Cc. HH. C, Sector inapectors I = “(oy
a. ii. C. Concentration Avea 5
Inspectore I ‘ So" (3).
Ge HE. C. Laspectoxrs I (General) he :(2)
£. Clotical et Peay
itousing Rehabilitation Specialist Office
4. Rousing Rehabilitatica Specialist €1):
be lie Ce Inspector I io . (3)
Stenographers ; wo
Codes Compltance Offica
a, Codes Compliance Ofticer 2
b. H.C. Inspector t .
c, Typist-Clavk :
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Deleted | 7
2, Poxsonnel, Housing Code Division:
a, Chies Inspector - a
— «1) , Overall eupeiviston af tuapections st
, field work and administration, 7 |
- (2) Coordination of velocation efforts
"with Atlanta Housing Authority,
_ (3), Pursuit of Seaolutton of difficult sasaas
: (4). Direct supervision St oteckeat yarusiels Pana |
+e (5) Goordination with Citak Compliance officer; *
_ Rehabilitation Specialist.
(6) Training program for now Housing Code inspectors.
(7) Coordination with other Divisions of Department of
Buildings.
be Field Supervisors
i)" Direct supervision of five inspectors and their sectors
“comprising one-halé (i) of the City. |
(2) Dixect supervision of intensive program teaus.
' (3) “In-Service training for jaaseoteré to include principles
og Housing Code Enforcement, selection and scheduling of
work, and standardization of requirements and acceptances.
4
roog
‘1218267
General comuct of housing coda compliance program within
their acauhaik (4) of the City.
. (5) Assistance in resolution of difficult cases,
| (6) Assistance in preparation of court cases when zequeated
ty Coda Compliance Officer, | | |
(7) Other apectet duties as assigned by Chief Tnapectors,
Housing Coda Sector Inspeetorst
(1). Conduct of Housing Code Compliance Program in their seater.
: (2) Primary responsibility for resolution of all cases and
complicate: in their sectors. ER ce -
“Se Frepare casea for presentation before: » the Better Housing *
Commission and City Attorney. ee ae one
(4) Aseiat in preparing court caseo.”
Housine Code Inspector o Gonexal seek
; wD Primarily responsible for conduct of Houding Code Coapliance ae
x Program in areas designated “ClearancesCode Enforcement".
: (2) Pursue resolution of oll casce and complaints ia euadee
areas. | Me a ee os |
(3) Prepare cases for siigdatatioa 24: Housing Appeals
Board and the City Attorney. :
(4) Assist in preparing Court: casas,
Intensive Progran- Housing Code Inspectors
(1) Operate a5 tean nombexs
(2) Conduct housing code compliance program in rehabilitation
areaa according to scheduled svleeibed |
Clerical Personnel | at
(1) Process notices, jetneca, deeetde and prepare periodic
Keportss
(2) Receive telephone calla,’ prepare lists for Batter Housing
6 yi : rds es are ‘ . . 1e15°67
. Commission hearings, City Attorney hearings and Court.
(3) Record minutes of Better Housing Commission meetings.
&. Related Personnel
{1) Rehabilitation Specialist
(a) Public velations --{promoting good maintenance and
Housing Code Enforcement). | _
(b) Inspectinn of aparvtment developments (30 units ai up).
(c) Responsible for “In Rem” proceedings.
(25 Codes woapliance Officers |
(a) Responsible for preparation and conduct (including
attendance in Court} of Housing Code Court cases with
assistance from Housing Code Inspectors and Supervisory
Personnel.
(b) Advises Housing Code Division on requirements for |
prosecution of Cases in court, appropriateness of
specific cases for Court action and preparation of
charges.
(c) Prepares Court calendars and reports on Sasults of
Housing Code Court hearings. .
C. Notices and Follow-Up Action
inspectors will use standard methods and prescribed time intervals as
a guide for their processing of cases. Written procedure is on file
in the Housing Code Division. |
BD. Coordination
1. Relocation:
Inspectors will £111 out slips (on AHA standard form) to be signed
and forwarded by the Chief Inspector to the, Housing Authority for
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2.
3e
4.
relocation assistance to the families to ba displaced by
Housing Code Enforcement, such as placarding occupied units, when
a directive ig issued to reduce the number of occupants and/or units,
when demolition is imminent, and for other reasons.
Community Facilities
Chief Inspector will consult map showing location of proposed and
acheduled community facilities; will determine agency responsible
for execution; and consult and coordinate with that agency to
deterrine exact extent and status of project and the apprepsiaie
Housing Code Compliance Program for the areas at that time.
Public Housing
No Housing Code Inspections required. (Existing units 8874; under
construction 650; planned 490; additional allocation 1200).
Municipal Services
In conduct of the Housing Code Compliance Program, Inspectors will
be alert for needed improvements in municipal services and other
such problems. Need will be recorded and referred by the Chief
Inspector to the appropriate department or agency.
Possible referral aeeneten are:
a. Sanitary Department
b. Construction Department
c. Traffic and Street Lights Department
d. Police Department
&. Water Department
£. Fire Department
ge Parks Department
h. Board of Education °
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1. County Departments of Fawily and Children Services
j. County Health Departments
Data Bank
The Housing Code Division will participate continually in furnishing
certain types of information, obtained ia connection with ite normal
ta
activities, to ba placed in the data banks oy
, Complaints - ma
All Housing Code complaints received will be Senbeded on forms provided
and investigated within ona week and appropriate action initiated imme
diately. Written procedure is on file in the Housing Code Division, 2
liaadling Unresolved Cases — ve “
At the time notice expires, Sector Inspectors will thoroughly review their
uaresolved casa files and dotermina what positive action should be taken,
Procedure for handling unresolved cases ia on file in tha Housing
Code Division,
Area Housing Code Compliance Policies
4&. General:
1. Placard promptly vacant substandard units and structures
considered unfit for occupancy and cause utility cervices
to be discontinued.
Promptly report to the Better Housing Com eeion and to the
Atlanta Housing Authority Relocation Housing Office (for
velocation of families) those occupied units end structures
considered unfit for occupancy.
ia order to keep abreast of changing conditions conducive to
deterioration and blight, each sector Inspector will endeavor
to observe his entire Sector and initiate corrective action as
needed.» |
1-18-67,
4.
It is anticipated that each Sector Inspector and General
Inspector wiil process a minimum of 20 new Housing Code major
improvement or demolition cases per calendar month, and comply
an equal number per month outside of rehabilitation areas in
which teams aye working. Effort should be made where feasible
to keep each Inspector's workload of uncompleted active notices
to approximately 200. All Sector and General Inspectors combined
should comply at Least 4000 units per year. (2600 structures at
approximately 14 = 2 units per one structure.) (11 month basis)
BG. Conservation Areas (See Housing Map):
1.
Inspectoxy will encourage maintenance and conservation verbally
where early signs of blight appear but no valid code violation
exists.
Housing Code inspection to be made primarily on a complaint
basia.
C, Intensive Conservation Areas (See Housing Map)
1.
Housing Code inspections to be made based on an apparent need.
Accent to be conservation rather than waiting until rehabilitation
is necessary; Inspector will give more attention to details to
discover any significant changes conducive to blight in these
areas.
Inspector will encourage maintenance and conservation verbally
where early signs of blight appear but where no valid code
violation exists.
Thesa areas will be closely examined for consideration as
possible federally assisted code enforcement projects under the
1964 Housing Act.
2/1/67
D. Rehabilitation Areas (See Housing Map)
1. These areas have been céasignated according to priority of need
and placed on a schedule.(See Map)
These areas will be intensively covered house by house by
inspectors of an intensive program team (2 « 4 men).
Conduct of Compliance Program
ae All Housing units in rehabilitation areas will be inspected
and necessary compliance notices issued or atatement issued
that property is in satisfactory condition.
It is anticipated that three large areas (approximately
7000 units) and three mall: areas (approximately 1900 units)
will be covered this year (approximate total 8900). Any
‘cases remaining unresolved at the end of this year will be
assigned to Sector Inspector for resolution.
It is anticipated that each Team Inspector will make a
minimim of 7 new inspections or 7 first follow-up inspections
per day.
These areas will be closely examined for consideration as possible
future Gederally assisted code enforcement projects under the 1964
Housing Act.
E. Clearance + Code Enforcement Areas (See Housing Map)
1. Enforce Code to:
a Placard where warranted and seck demolition.
b. Correct hazards.
Ge Reduce overcrowding.
d. Vacate unfit units.
e. Clean up premises.
Pe
Ge
Ze
Should the owner elect to rehabilitate a structure he will ff
be permitted to do so provided he complies in full with ail
codes and ordinances,
Clearance = Title I Urban Renewal
i.
Proposed and Planning Stage Projects (See Housing Map):
_ Enforce Code only to:
Placard where warranted and saele demolition.
Qe,
b. Correct hagaids.
c. Reduce overcrowding.
d. Vacate unfit units.
e. Clean up premises,
2. Urban Renewal Projects in Execution (See Housing Map):
Qe
Issue no notices unless instructed otherwise by Chief
Inspector (usually upon request of Atlanta Housing Authority).
Community Facility Locations, including Public Housing (See Community
Facility Map):
Ls:
Scheduled for construction or property being acquired
a. Chief Inspector will consult map showing location of
proposed and scheduled comnunity facilities; will
determine agency responsible for execution; and
consult and coordinate with that agency to determine
exact extent and status of project and the appropriate
Housing Code Compliance Program for the ‘ivens at that
time.
12 2/1/67
se a tae eg at els Ore cere A
‘ Noxmally Inspector will issue no notices unless instructed
‘ otherwisa by Caief Inspactor.
- Plamned « construction anticipated but not scheduled
@,' Chief Inspector willl.consult. map showing iccation, af .
proposed and echaduled community facilities; will |
' determina agancy wesponsible for execution; and
“ consult and coordinate with that agency to datermina
‘' anact extent. and status of project and the appropriate |
‘Housing Codes Compliance: Program fox the areas at that
be “woxaat action will be to enforce Code ouly toe
“Oy Placard vhero warranted and seck demolition.
ss Q): Correct Baeaeda.’ Sie hare nee ee
(3) Reduce overcrowdings fi.
(4) Vacate unfit undtoe
(5) Clean up promisaa. i: