ATLANTA — The Atlanta Regional Commission previewed its “Housing Forward 2035” regional strategy, aimed at establishing guidelines to address housing affordability across the 11-county metropolitan area.
The strategic plan sets regional targets to construct 367,000 new homes and preserve 104,000 existing affordable units at risk of redevelopment by 2035.
The plan, developed by ARC and advisory firm HR&A, presents an alternative growth scenario designed to shift future residential development closer to employment centers and transit access.
Under current development trends, the regional housing market is projected to satisfy only 25% of the demand for households earning below $55,000 annually, which represents 50% of the area median income.
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Estimates show a future demand for 117,000 new housing units affordable at that income level, while current forecasts expect only 28,000 units to be added.
Without policy changes, ARC forecasts indicate most new housing would be built in outer counties such as Forsyth, Cherokee and Henry counties, far from major job hubs.
The study projects that approximately 70% of new jobs created in the region through 2035 will fall into low- to moderate-income brackets.
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To address this gap, the strategy recommends a four-fold increase in affordable housing production and aims to cut the affordability shortfall by 50% by 2035.
“It’s already a challenge for people at the lower end of the income scale to find sustainable, stable and affordable places to live in our region,” Anna Roach, executive director and CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission, said. “Imagine how much harder it could be in five years or 10 years if we do nothing to change the course of where we’re heading.”
Officials from ARC noted that the strategy also focuses on repurposing unused real estate, identifying 106,000 vacant or underutilized properties across the 11-county region, including 1,530 publicly owned parcels. The plan targets developing new residential units on 10% of those sites by 2035.
Samyukth Shenbaga, the managing director of community development at ARC, said local governments will require tailored approaches to implement the recommendations.
“There is no one-size-fits all approach to address our housing challenges,” Shenbaga said. “Each community will need to find the solutions that work best for their needs. Housing Forward 2035 is designed to help them explore what’s possible and provide the data and resources they need to make progress.”
Implementation relies on 10 core housing actions, including a regional housing certification program, a Regional Housing Dashboard to monitor progress, expanded financing options and a shared communications strategy for local governments and employers.
Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum, highlighted the balance between regional planning and local authority.
“ARC’s work recognizes the basic reality: The housing challenges facing the Atlanta region cross jurisdictional lines, but the decisions that shape housing production are made locally,” Bolling said.
Roach said regional cooperation will be critical to achieving the plan’s targets.
“There’s no doubt that the stakes are high right now, and we cannot be afraid to take bold steps,” Roach said. “I hope you all feel the urgency that we feel at the Atlanta Regional Commission. And as you listen to today’s presentations, I encourage you to ask yourself: What can I do to help? Where does my organization fit into this broader plan?”
The Atlanta Regional Commission Board is expected to vote on the formal adoption of the Housing Forward 2035 plan by the end of 2026.
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