Dublin Core
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
February 24, 1969
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman
Housing Resources Committee
Attached (Encl. 1) is copy of Memo from Eric Hill Associates to
Collier Gladin, entitled "Expanded Means To Lower Cost Housing”.
Collier has discussed this briefly with Dan Sweat with view to under~-
taking an updated and expanded study of the housing portion of the
CIP. This would presumably be done by Eric Hill Associates.
Dan feels, and so do I, that the initiation of any major up=
dating study on housing in Atlanta should be initiated by the
Housing Resources Committee,
Eric Hill Associates is perhaps the best housing, planning
consultant firm I know and there is little contained in the attached
proposal with which I disagree. However, it seems somewhat in-
appropriate to initiate another major study when we have not yet
been able to implement the recommendations of the previous study,
although we are fully aware of the major factors which are still
holding up implementation of the previous study. The following
are some of the more important of these;
a. The number one problem of course is getting
site approvals.
b. Other difficulties which have not been
adequately corrected and for which specific
recommendations were made formally by
the Housing Resources Committee to the
Zoning and Planning andsDevelopment
Committees of the Board of Aldermen,
August 2, 1968, include;
3. “Revision of the Ordinance
governing non-conforming use
of land to allow structural
changes in improving dwelling
units to meet requirements of
the Housing Code."
Mr, Cecil A. Alexander
February 24, 1969
Page 3
I was called upon by a City Official for current
figures on units Completed, Under Construction
and in Planning in the Low-income Housing Program.
The best I could offer was to provide figures as
of November 15, 1968. I have not been able to
compile a more recent report, although, it is
known that the figures have changed considerably
Since the November 15 report.
Attached (Encl. 5) are copies of recant Memos
from this office to Mr. Satterfield of the
Housing Authority in an effort to obtain some
essential data pertaining to Public Housing
and to encourage coordination efforts toward
insuring rehabilitation of existing substandard
units, from which occupants move into Public
Housing.
In addition, the CIP contained a specific recommendation for
establishment of a Housing Resources Bureau. Extract of the proposal
is attached (Encl. 6). About 2 years ago, I provided Mr. Sweat with
a brief concept, including tentative proposed organizational structure
and personnel considered necessary to implement such an activity. If
established, that organization should probably function under the
guidance and as a facility of the Housing Resources Committee, with
a specific Housing Committee of the Board of Aldermen designated to
steer and carry the program's activities through the Board of
Aldermen to fruition,
Realizing the local Administration's desire to reduce rather
than add Departments and in order to avoid appearances of empire
building, I have thus far refrained from recommending establishment
of a Housing Bureau or Department. However, although a good start
has been made in housing, I feel that we have barely scratched the
surface of the overall housing needs of the City during the next 20
years; and that this problem can best be attacked through an increase
in, and elevation of, Housing Resources facilities. Perhaps the time
has now come when we should seriously consider expansion of such
facilities and follow the recommendations of the CIP by establishing
a small Housing Bureau or Department,
In summary, the proposal of Eric Hill Associates is in general
practical. However, I cannot see any particular advantage of such
additional study at this time, unless there is, or will be, ample
organization and political structure for implementation of its findings.
This does not exist now and should be a prerequisite to initiation of
such a major new study. Recommendation (if made) for such organization
and political structure should, in my opinion, originate with the
Housing Resources Committee.
Mr. Cecil A, Alexander
February 24, 1969
Page 4
Sincerely,
Malcolm D, Jones
Housing Coordinator
MDJ/me
Enclis:1.Expanded Means To Lower Cost Housing
2.Draft dated February 10, 1968
3.Memo dated February 11, 1969
4.Memo dated October 31, 1968
5.Memos dated February 11, 1969
6,Extract from CIP
co: Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Jr.
Mr. Cecil A. Alexander
February 24, 1969
Page 2
4. “Accelerate the Urban Renewal program
particularly in the NASH-BANS, Vine
City and other areas outside the Model
Cities area." (This being only partially
implemented now.) ¢
6. “Adoption of a revised district zoning
map based on the new Land Use map, to
include adequate areas for low-income
howing."
There are several related documents which have a direct bearing
on this matter. The more pertinent of these are:
1. The Second Annual Report (FUTURE DIRECTION
Section) which spelled out certain recommend-
ations for future course of action for the
housing program and called for a revised
statement of mission from the Mayor for the
Committee, Copy of draft proposed (2-10-69)
for revised mission is attached (Encl, 2).
It contained, among other things, suggestion
that a joint study of the housing needs of the
City be conducted by the Housing Authority,
Planning Department and the Housing Resources
Committee. Such study might substitute for, or
be absorbed in, the proposed study by Eric
Hill Associates,
“2, Some suggestions for a more practical approach
to solving the low-income housing problems are
contained in Memo to Dan Sweat, February 11, 1969,
copy attached (Encl. 3),
3. Proposal for specific housing and related activities
for the recently approved Urban Observatory are
contained in Memo to Mr. Sweat, October 31, 1968,
copy attached (Encl. 4). It is doubtful however,
that 211 of the proposed activities can be assumed
by the Urban Observatory, certainly not initially.
4. The Housing Coordinator has repeatedly pointed out
the need for, and requested the services of, a
Statistical Clerk to keep up-to-date and periodically
reproduce the Low-Income Housing Inventory Report.
That important report cannot be kept current,
through existing facilitiés.of the Housing Resources
Committee office. Just recently, as frequently,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman
Housing Resources Committee
Attached (Encl. 1) is copy of Memo from Eric Hill Associates to
Collier Gladin, entitled "Expanded Means To Lower Cost Housing”.
Collier has discussed this briefly with Dan Sweat with view to under~-
taking an updated and expanded study of the housing portion of the
CIP. This would presumably be done by Eric Hill Associates.
Dan feels, and so do I, that the initiation of any major up=
dating study on housing in Atlanta should be initiated by the
Housing Resources Committee,
Eric Hill Associates is perhaps the best housing, planning
consultant firm I know and there is little contained in the attached
proposal with which I disagree. However, it seems somewhat in-
appropriate to initiate another major study when we have not yet
been able to implement the recommendations of the previous study,
although we are fully aware of the major factors which are still
holding up implementation of the previous study. The following
are some of the more important of these;
a. The number one problem of course is getting
site approvals.
b. Other difficulties which have not been
adequately corrected and for which specific
recommendations were made formally by
the Housing Resources Committee to the
Zoning and Planning andsDevelopment
Committees of the Board of Aldermen,
August 2, 1968, include;
3. “Revision of the Ordinance
governing non-conforming use
of land to allow structural
changes in improving dwelling
units to meet requirements of
the Housing Code."
Mr, Cecil A. Alexander
February 24, 1969
Page 3
I was called upon by a City Official for current
figures on units Completed, Under Construction
and in Planning in the Low-income Housing Program.
The best I could offer was to provide figures as
of November 15, 1968. I have not been able to
compile a more recent report, although, it is
known that the figures have changed considerably
Since the November 15 report.
Attached (Encl. 5) are copies of recant Memos
from this office to Mr. Satterfield of the
Housing Authority in an effort to obtain some
essential data pertaining to Public Housing
and to encourage coordination efforts toward
insuring rehabilitation of existing substandard
units, from which occupants move into Public
Housing.
In addition, the CIP contained a specific recommendation for
establishment of a Housing Resources Bureau. Extract of the proposal
is attached (Encl. 6). About 2 years ago, I provided Mr. Sweat with
a brief concept, including tentative proposed organizational structure
and personnel considered necessary to implement such an activity. If
established, that organization should probably function under the
guidance and as a facility of the Housing Resources Committee, with
a specific Housing Committee of the Board of Aldermen designated to
steer and carry the program's activities through the Board of
Aldermen to fruition,
Realizing the local Administration's desire to reduce rather
than add Departments and in order to avoid appearances of empire
building, I have thus far refrained from recommending establishment
of a Housing Bureau or Department. However, although a good start
has been made in housing, I feel that we have barely scratched the
surface of the overall housing needs of the City during the next 20
years; and that this problem can best be attacked through an increase
in, and elevation of, Housing Resources facilities. Perhaps the time
has now come when we should seriously consider expansion of such
facilities and follow the recommendations of the CIP by establishing
a small Housing Bureau or Department,
In summary, the proposal of Eric Hill Associates is in general
practical. However, I cannot see any particular advantage of such
additional study at this time, unless there is, or will be, ample
organization and political structure for implementation of its findings.
This does not exist now and should be a prerequisite to initiation of
such a major new study. Recommendation (if made) for such organization
and political structure should, in my opinion, originate with the
Housing Resources Committee.
Mr. Cecil A, Alexander
February 24, 1969
Page 4
Sincerely,
Malcolm D, Jones
Housing Coordinator
MDJ/me
Enclis:1.Expanded Means To Lower Cost Housing
2.Draft dated February 10, 1968
3.Memo dated February 11, 1969
4.Memo dated October 31, 1968
5.Memos dated February 11, 1969
6,Extract from CIP
co: Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Jr.
Mr. Cecil A. Alexander
February 24, 1969
Page 2
4. “Accelerate the Urban Renewal program
particularly in the NASH-BANS, Vine
City and other areas outside the Model
Cities area." (This being only partially
implemented now.) ¢
6. “Adoption of a revised district zoning
map based on the new Land Use map, to
include adequate areas for low-income
howing."
There are several related documents which have a direct bearing
on this matter. The more pertinent of these are:
1. The Second Annual Report (FUTURE DIRECTION
Section) which spelled out certain recommend-
ations for future course of action for the
housing program and called for a revised
statement of mission from the Mayor for the
Committee, Copy of draft proposed (2-10-69)
for revised mission is attached (Encl, 2).
It contained, among other things, suggestion
that a joint study of the housing needs of the
City be conducted by the Housing Authority,
Planning Department and the Housing Resources
Committee. Such study might substitute for, or
be absorbed in, the proposed study by Eric
Hill Associates,
“2, Some suggestions for a more practical approach
to solving the low-income housing problems are
contained in Memo to Dan Sweat, February 11, 1969,
copy attached (Encl. 3),
3. Proposal for specific housing and related activities
for the recently approved Urban Observatory are
contained in Memo to Mr. Sweat, October 31, 1968,
copy attached (Encl. 4). It is doubtful however,
that 211 of the proposed activities can be assumed
by the Urban Observatory, certainly not initially.
4. The Housing Coordinator has repeatedly pointed out
the need for, and requested the services of, a
Statistical Clerk to keep up-to-date and periodically
reproduce the Low-Income Housing Inventory Report.
That important report cannot be kept current,
through existing facilitiés.of the Housing Resources
Committee office. Just recently, as frequently,