During their work session on August 12, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission talked about two housing-related topics: the county’s persistent problems with affordable housing and the increasing number of short-term rentals.
Through websites like Airbnb, short-term rentals, or STRs, have become more and more popular in recent years, enabling visitors to reserve stays of 31 days or less. Commissioners said homeowners have complained about noise, parking, and other disturbances in the area, despite the fact that they provide flexible accommodation alternatives. According to officials, STRs can additionally strain the already constrained housing market by lowering the number of long-term rental units available.
County officials discussed ways to control STR permits during the discussion, including how they are granted and whether repeat offenders could no longer host. The panel intends to reexamine the issue in October, but no decision was made.
Melinda Lord, the director of housing and community development, also gave a presentation during the work session, outlining the county’s advancements under its Affordable Housing Investment Strategy. With $11 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, the strategy was introduced in March 2022 with the goal of addressing the housing scarcity for individuals earning less than $35,000 annually, which includes about 8,800 rental households that are having difficulty paying their rent.
Plans to address the need include the renovation of owner-occupied homes, the creation of affordable rental units, and down payment assistance programs worth at least $35,000. These programs, according to county officials, are essential to achieving the objectives of the county’s strategic plan and enhancing housing stability throughout Athens-Clarke.
In collaboration with WUGA News, this article can be found on Now Habersham.
