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ATTITUDE SURVEY OF THE
RESIDENTS OF LIGHTNING
City of Atlanta
Department of Planning
November 13, 1969
This report deals with the results of an attitude survey conducted
in Lightning. The section of Atlanta known as Lightning is bounded by
Northside Drive, Hunter Street, and Simpson Street. Lightning is zoned
for industrial use,
This survey was conducted by the City of Atlanta Planning Department
upon the request of the citizens of Lightning. The citizens voiced their
support for this survey or a community meeting held Tuesday, October 14,
1969,
The Lightning attitude survey was conducted for several reasons.
First of all, the questionnaire is aimed at securing two basic types of
information. The first group of questions, one through nine, deal with
the attainment of factual information, such as the number of persons in
each household, The second group of questions, ten through seventeen,
explore the attitudes of the people toward living in Lightning and the
problems involved.
In addition to securing information, a second purpose of this survey
is to let the citizens of Lightning know that the City of Atlanta is con-
cerned and interested in their problems. A third purpose of the Lightning
survey is to get both the citizens of Lightning and the City of Atlanta to
start thinking about the short and long range problems of this area, This
includes the exposure of short range problems that can perhaps be solved
in the near future, with the people of Lightning and the city working
together.
The survey was conducted Tuesday, October 28, 1969 through Thursday,
October 30, on a door-to-door verbal interview basis. Twelve interviewers,
black and white, were used to conduct the survey: One City Planning
Department employee, two City Planning Department interns, one Model
Cities employee, and eight HUD interns. (A list of interviewers appears
in appendix A). They interviewed a total of 105 households, which is
77% of the total number of households in Lightning. Contact at each
household was attempted at least three times: Morning, afternoon, and
evening.
General Results
The factual results of the survey show that:
1. Forty-four per cent (44%) of the respondents live in housing
which is overcrowded, having one or more persons per room,
2. Of the 105 households surveyed, eighty-one per cent (81%)
rented their residences and the remaining nineteen per cent
(19%) were home-owners, Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the
renters and eighty per cent (80%) of the homeowners stated
that they could not afford to pay more for housing.
3. Seventy-four of the interviewers, or seventy per cent (70%)
were unemployed, due to disability, retirement, household
responsibility or simple lack of ability to find work,
4, The average length of residence in Lightning of the respondents
was nineteen years, with a range of 1,5 months to sixty-six years,
5. The average age of the respondents was 52.4 years, with a range
of twelve to eighty-two years.
The attitudinal results of the survey show the following major
findings:
1, The majority of interviewees (85%) like living in Lightning.
However, of the ninety-eight respondents saying whether they
would Like to live elsewhere (See question 12), fifty-three
per cent (53%) answered affirmatively, with the remaining forty-
seven per cent (47%) preferring to remain in Lightning.
2. Ninety-one out of the 105 interviewees feel like they are members
of the Lightning community and belong with the people there.
3. Housing was the most frequently-mentioned problem in Lightning,
with fifty-two per cent (52%) of the respondents Listing it.
(See question 13).
Detailed Results
The complete interview schedule and tabulated results for each of the
questions in the interview are presented in this section.
Questions and Responses
1. How long have you lived in Lightning?
Average length of residence - 19 years
Range - 1.5 month to 66 years
Where do you work?
Number of respondents unemployed, due to disability, retirement,
household responsibility, etc. - 74 number of respondents employed - 29
3. How long does it take you to get to work?
Average travel time to work - 30 minutes
Range - 5 minutes to 14 hour
fis 3
10,
ae
How do you get to work?
Car - 8
*Bus - 15
Walk - 8
Taxi - 1
How old are you?
Average age of respondent - 52.4 years old
Range - 12 - 82 years old
How many people live in this house?
Average - 3.5
How many rooms are in this house?
Average - 3.7
(46 houses with one or more persons per room)
Do you own this house or rent it?
Own - 20 *Rent - 85
If you are a renter, could you afford to pay more rent for a
better house?
Yes - 20
No - 64
Den't know - 1
you are a home owner, could you afford to buy a different house?
Yes - 3
No -16
Don't know - l
Do you like living here?
*Yes = 89
No = 46
Why do you like living here?
Nice neighbors - 14
Like the neighborhood - 13
ll.
ae
It is convenient - 13
All my friends live here - 10
Raised here or lived here
a long time - 9 .
Economic reasons = 8
No trouble or no one bothers me = 7
Nice landlord - 2
Why do you dislike living here?
Dislike the people - 4
Dislike the neighborhood - 4
Sub-standard housing - 3
Not a good neighborhood for
children - 2
Don't like living alone - 1
Do you feel like you are a member of this community and belong
with these people?
Yes - 91
No = 9
Guess so - l
No answer - 4
Would you Like to Live somewhere else?
Yes - 52
No - 46
Don't know - 4
No answer - 3
Why would you like to live somewhere else?
Would like a better neighborhood - 13
Would like better housing - 12
Dislike people here - 3
Want a garden - 3
Not quiet here - 2
See a change as good = 2
Wants a bath or hot water - 2
Want to move for health purposes - 2
Don't like living alone - 1
Why would you not like to live somewhere else?
This is “my home!" = 6
Would be hard to get used to new people and church - 4
Friends or relatives are here - 3
Close to church = 2
Close to work = 1
Like it here - 2
Couldn't afford to move - 1
13, What problems need to be solved first to improve the neighborhood?
Housing
Inadequate water service - 11
Traffic problems - 8
Street repairs - 8
Poor sanitation - 8
Inadequate facilities for children =- 5
Crime and poor police protection - 4
Bad people in neighborhood - 3
Poor bus service = 1
Lack of job opportunities - 1
We have no problems I can think of - 15
No answer - 14
14. If you were to live elsewhere, what general area would you like most?
Nowhere else - 21
S.W. - 2
N.W. - 10
ALHA project - 1
Griffin St. - l
Dixie Hills - 2
Any nice place - 10
Hunter Homes - 2
Kirkwood = 2
Bowen Homes - L
West side - 12
Out of state - 1
N.E. A&1l-1
Hunter & Mitchell - 2
South side - 1
University Homes - 1
Decatur - 1
High Rise for elderly - 1
Cascade Hts. area - 1
Howell Dr, - 1
Bankhead & Hightower =- 2
Scott crossing - 1
Simpson Rd. = 1
In woods - 1
Adamsville area - 1
Around here = 3
McDaniel project - 1
Vine St. = 1
15;
16,
17,
What kind of place do you think Lightning is to grow up in?
Very good- 3
Better than most - 8
Same as others - 42
Not as good - 24
Very bad - 16
No answer - 12
What do you like and dislike about living in Lightning?
Here is a card which lists some things you might like about
living here. Please pick the two you like most. If there
is anything you like but it is not on the card, go ahead and
pick it,
A. I am close to work - 15
B. The rent is low - 34
C. Many of my friends live here - 55
D. I have lived here a long time - 43
E. I own my own home - 10
F. My relatives live in Lightning - 13°
G. Other reasons
Convenience - 6
Like the people
People take care of me when I'm sick, better than
last place I lived in
There is nothing I like = 5
No answer = 5
This card lists some problems or things you might dislike about
Lightning, Please pick the five you think are the biggest problems,
If there is any problem you would like to pick but do not find on the
list, go ahead and pick it.
A. Not close to shopping = 27
B. Not close to work - 7
C. Lack of facilities and programs - 35
D. Inadequate bus service - 17
E. No health service - 24
F, Inadequate water service - 18
G. Unemployment - 18
H. Housing - 65
I. Education =- 3
J. Police protection - 34
K. Rat control = 42
L. Traffic and parking problems - 44
M.
Other reasons -
L.
Trash collection and yard maintenance =- 5
Not close to any shopping centers = 4
Crime and juvenile delinquency - 2
Absentee landlords - 1
Need a laundromat - 1
Outside help is hurting us - 1
Cab fare is too high - 1
APPENDIX A
List of Interviewers
Frank Biggins, HUD Intern
Gary Brown, HUD Intern
Bill Hammer, HUD Intern
John Hiscox, HUD Intern
Louise Klaffner, HUD Intern
John Matthews, Department of Planning
Dot Metcalf, Department of Planning Intern
Nancy McKnight, Department of Planning Intern
Sonja Pevey, HUD Intern
Steve Steinart, Model Cities
Patricia Williams, HUD Intern
APPENDIX B
Interview Guide - Lightning
A. General Instructions
1. Make sure that all questions included are answered; however,
if a respondent refuses to answer any questions, go on to the
next item on your questionnaire, Record reason for no response,
if possible. You may include other questions; record them as
well as the interviewee's answer.
2. Please record all answers as accurately and carefully as possible.
3. Let the interview continue if the interviewee wishes to talk.
However, one hour should be the maximum time required for the
interview.
4. Record the date of the interview, the time at which the interview
begins and is completed, and the total amount of time the interview
lasts,
B. Introduction,
The following general introduction should be used in the interview
situation: “Hello, my name is + I represent the City
of Atlanta (show your identification card). The Mayor and Board
of Aldermen are concerned about the problems of the people living in
Lightning, Mary different suggestions have been made about what the
people of Lightning want and need from the city. However, we feel it
is necessary to talk directly to the people of Lightning, so for the
next few days we will be talking with all Lightning residents to help
us find out exactly what the people want. Could you please take a
few minutes to answer these questions?"
If subject refuses to participate in the interview, try to find out
why. If he indicates he is too busy, try to make an appointment to inter-
view him at another date, If he has another reason, try again to get the
interview. However, if he absolutely refuses, do not persist, Record a
response, and if possible, the reason. If no one is at home, try to contact
the household three different times. If some interviewees are not available
at certain times, a convenient time will be worked out in the interviewing
schedule so these people can be contacted, If more than one member of a
household want to participate in the interview session, record their responses
separately. Each interview record should contain the responses of one person
only, However, iz this is not possible, indicate that responses came from
two or more people,
Remember that the main purpose is to get answers to the basic questions
contained in our questionnaire. If the interviewee has questions to ask of
you, try to delay this discussion until the end of the formal interview.
DO NOT, under any circumstances, attempt to answer questions of which you
are unsure, The purpose of this interview is to find out what the people
in Lightning think and want. If people ask questions you cannot answer,
refer tnem to Mr. Johnny Robinson (you will have a supply of his personal
cards to pass out to everyone).
C. Close
Close the interview by answering any questions you can, and by thanking
the interviewee for his cooperation. State again that if he has any additional
questions, he should call Mr. Johnny Robinson, Also, if he has any additional
comments, attempt to record them on the answer sheet,
RESIDENTS OF LIGHTNING
City of Atlanta
Department of Planning
November 13, 1969
This report deals with the results of an attitude survey conducted
in Lightning. The section of Atlanta known as Lightning is bounded by
Northside Drive, Hunter Street, and Simpson Street. Lightning is zoned
for industrial use,
This survey was conducted by the City of Atlanta Planning Department
upon the request of the citizens of Lightning. The citizens voiced their
support for this survey or a community meeting held Tuesday, October 14,
1969,
The Lightning attitude survey was conducted for several reasons.
First of all, the questionnaire is aimed at securing two basic types of
information. The first group of questions, one through nine, deal with
the attainment of factual information, such as the number of persons in
each household, The second group of questions, ten through seventeen,
explore the attitudes of the people toward living in Lightning and the
problems involved.
In addition to securing information, a second purpose of this survey
is to let the citizens of Lightning know that the City of Atlanta is con-
cerned and interested in their problems. A third purpose of the Lightning
survey is to get both the citizens of Lightning and the City of Atlanta to
start thinking about the short and long range problems of this area, This
includes the exposure of short range problems that can perhaps be solved
in the near future, with the people of Lightning and the city working
together.
The survey was conducted Tuesday, October 28, 1969 through Thursday,
October 30, on a door-to-door verbal interview basis. Twelve interviewers,
black and white, were used to conduct the survey: One City Planning
Department employee, two City Planning Department interns, one Model
Cities employee, and eight HUD interns. (A list of interviewers appears
in appendix A). They interviewed a total of 105 households, which is
77% of the total number of households in Lightning. Contact at each
household was attempted at least three times: Morning, afternoon, and
evening.
General Results
The factual results of the survey show that:
1. Forty-four per cent (44%) of the respondents live in housing
which is overcrowded, having one or more persons per room,
2. Of the 105 households surveyed, eighty-one per cent (81%)
rented their residences and the remaining nineteen per cent
(19%) were home-owners, Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the
renters and eighty per cent (80%) of the homeowners stated
that they could not afford to pay more for housing.
3. Seventy-four of the interviewers, or seventy per cent (70%)
were unemployed, due to disability, retirement, household
responsibility or simple lack of ability to find work,
4, The average length of residence in Lightning of the respondents
was nineteen years, with a range of 1,5 months to sixty-six years,
5. The average age of the respondents was 52.4 years, with a range
of twelve to eighty-two years.
The attitudinal results of the survey show the following major
findings:
1, The majority of interviewees (85%) like living in Lightning.
However, of the ninety-eight respondents saying whether they
would Like to live elsewhere (See question 12), fifty-three
per cent (53%) answered affirmatively, with the remaining forty-
seven per cent (47%) preferring to remain in Lightning.
2. Ninety-one out of the 105 interviewees feel like they are members
of the Lightning community and belong with the people there.
3. Housing was the most frequently-mentioned problem in Lightning,
with fifty-two per cent (52%) of the respondents Listing it.
(See question 13).
Detailed Results
The complete interview schedule and tabulated results for each of the
questions in the interview are presented in this section.
Questions and Responses
1. How long have you lived in Lightning?
Average length of residence - 19 years
Range - 1.5 month to 66 years
Where do you work?
Number of respondents unemployed, due to disability, retirement,
household responsibility, etc. - 74 number of respondents employed - 29
3. How long does it take you to get to work?
Average travel time to work - 30 minutes
Range - 5 minutes to 14 hour
fis 3
10,
ae
How do you get to work?
Car - 8
*Bus - 15
Walk - 8
Taxi - 1
How old are you?
Average age of respondent - 52.4 years old
Range - 12 - 82 years old
How many people live in this house?
Average - 3.5
How many rooms are in this house?
Average - 3.7
(46 houses with one or more persons per room)
Do you own this house or rent it?
Own - 20 *Rent - 85
If you are a renter, could you afford to pay more rent for a
better house?
Yes - 20
No - 64
Den't know - 1
you are a home owner, could you afford to buy a different house?
Yes - 3
No -16
Don't know - l
Do you like living here?
*Yes = 89
No = 46
Why do you like living here?
Nice neighbors - 14
Like the neighborhood - 13
ll.
ae
It is convenient - 13
All my friends live here - 10
Raised here or lived here
a long time - 9 .
Economic reasons = 8
No trouble or no one bothers me = 7
Nice landlord - 2
Why do you dislike living here?
Dislike the people - 4
Dislike the neighborhood - 4
Sub-standard housing - 3
Not a good neighborhood for
children - 2
Don't like living alone - 1
Do you feel like you are a member of this community and belong
with these people?
Yes - 91
No = 9
Guess so - l
No answer - 4
Would you Like to Live somewhere else?
Yes - 52
No - 46
Don't know - 4
No answer - 3
Why would you like to live somewhere else?
Would like a better neighborhood - 13
Would like better housing - 12
Dislike people here - 3
Want a garden - 3
Not quiet here - 2
See a change as good = 2
Wants a bath or hot water - 2
Want to move for health purposes - 2
Don't like living alone - 1
Why would you not like to live somewhere else?
This is “my home!" = 6
Would be hard to get used to new people and church - 4
Friends or relatives are here - 3
Close to church = 2
Close to work = 1
Like it here - 2
Couldn't afford to move - 1
13, What problems need to be solved first to improve the neighborhood?
Housing
Inadequate water service - 11
Traffic problems - 8
Street repairs - 8
Poor sanitation - 8
Inadequate facilities for children =- 5
Crime and poor police protection - 4
Bad people in neighborhood - 3
Poor bus service = 1
Lack of job opportunities - 1
We have no problems I can think of - 15
No answer - 14
14. If you were to live elsewhere, what general area would you like most?
Nowhere else - 21
S.W. - 2
N.W. - 10
ALHA project - 1
Griffin St. - l
Dixie Hills - 2
Any nice place - 10
Hunter Homes - 2
Kirkwood = 2
Bowen Homes - L
West side - 12
Out of state - 1
N.E. A&1l-1
Hunter & Mitchell - 2
South side - 1
University Homes - 1
Decatur - 1
High Rise for elderly - 1
Cascade Hts. area - 1
Howell Dr, - 1
Bankhead & Hightower =- 2
Scott crossing - 1
Simpson Rd. = 1
In woods - 1
Adamsville area - 1
Around here = 3
McDaniel project - 1
Vine St. = 1
15;
16,
17,
What kind of place do you think Lightning is to grow up in?
Very good- 3
Better than most - 8
Same as others - 42
Not as good - 24
Very bad - 16
No answer - 12
What do you like and dislike about living in Lightning?
Here is a card which lists some things you might like about
living here. Please pick the two you like most. If there
is anything you like but it is not on the card, go ahead and
pick it,
A. I am close to work - 15
B. The rent is low - 34
C. Many of my friends live here - 55
D. I have lived here a long time - 43
E. I own my own home - 10
F. My relatives live in Lightning - 13°
G. Other reasons
Convenience - 6
Like the people
People take care of me when I'm sick, better than
last place I lived in
There is nothing I like = 5
No answer = 5
This card lists some problems or things you might dislike about
Lightning, Please pick the five you think are the biggest problems,
If there is any problem you would like to pick but do not find on the
list, go ahead and pick it.
A. Not close to shopping = 27
B. Not close to work - 7
C. Lack of facilities and programs - 35
D. Inadequate bus service - 17
E. No health service - 24
F, Inadequate water service - 18
G. Unemployment - 18
H. Housing - 65
I. Education =- 3
J. Police protection - 34
K. Rat control = 42
L. Traffic and parking problems - 44
M.
Other reasons -
L.
Trash collection and yard maintenance =- 5
Not close to any shopping centers = 4
Crime and juvenile delinquency - 2
Absentee landlords - 1
Need a laundromat - 1
Outside help is hurting us - 1
Cab fare is too high - 1
APPENDIX A
List of Interviewers
Frank Biggins, HUD Intern
Gary Brown, HUD Intern
Bill Hammer, HUD Intern
John Hiscox, HUD Intern
Louise Klaffner, HUD Intern
John Matthews, Department of Planning
Dot Metcalf, Department of Planning Intern
Nancy McKnight, Department of Planning Intern
Sonja Pevey, HUD Intern
Steve Steinart, Model Cities
Patricia Williams, HUD Intern
APPENDIX B
Interview Guide - Lightning
A. General Instructions
1. Make sure that all questions included are answered; however,
if a respondent refuses to answer any questions, go on to the
next item on your questionnaire, Record reason for no response,
if possible. You may include other questions; record them as
well as the interviewee's answer.
2. Please record all answers as accurately and carefully as possible.
3. Let the interview continue if the interviewee wishes to talk.
However, one hour should be the maximum time required for the
interview.
4. Record the date of the interview, the time at which the interview
begins and is completed, and the total amount of time the interview
lasts,
B. Introduction,
The following general introduction should be used in the interview
situation: “Hello, my name is + I represent the City
of Atlanta (show your identification card). The Mayor and Board
of Aldermen are concerned about the problems of the people living in
Lightning, Mary different suggestions have been made about what the
people of Lightning want and need from the city. However, we feel it
is necessary to talk directly to the people of Lightning, so for the
next few days we will be talking with all Lightning residents to help
us find out exactly what the people want. Could you please take a
few minutes to answer these questions?"
If subject refuses to participate in the interview, try to find out
why. If he indicates he is too busy, try to make an appointment to inter-
view him at another date, If he has another reason, try again to get the
interview. However, if he absolutely refuses, do not persist, Record a
response, and if possible, the reason. If no one is at home, try to contact
the household three different times. If some interviewees are not available
at certain times, a convenient time will be worked out in the interviewing
schedule so these people can be contacted, If more than one member of a
household want to participate in the interview session, record their responses
separately. Each interview record should contain the responses of one person
only, However, iz this is not possible, indicate that responses came from
two or more people,
Remember that the main purpose is to get answers to the basic questions
contained in our questionnaire. If the interviewee has questions to ask of
you, try to delay this discussion until the end of the formal interview.
DO NOT, under any circumstances, attempt to answer questions of which you
are unsure, The purpose of this interview is to find out what the people
in Lightning think and want. If people ask questions you cannot answer,
refer tnem to Mr. Johnny Robinson (you will have a supply of his personal
cards to pass out to everyone).
C. Close
Close the interview by answering any questions you can, and by thanking
the interviewee for his cooperation. State again that if he has any additional
questions, he should call Mr. Johnny Robinson, Also, if he has any additional
comments, attempt to record them on the answer sheet,