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Public Subsidies Ordinance

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The City of Atlanta requires a set-aside of affordable housing units for new multifamily rental developments with at least 10 units if the development is receiving a public subsidy. This is codified by Section 54-1 of the City of Atlanta’s municipal code. Developers have the option to set-aside:

  • 10% of their units for households at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI); or
  • 15% of their units for incomes at or below 80% of AMI.

This requirement usually applies to developments funded by Development Authorities doing business in the City of Atlanta. This includes Invest Atlanta, the Development Authority of Fulton County, and Decide Dekalb. This requirement ensures that developers receiving public assistance for residential properties are providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Atlantans.

The purpose of the program is to promote affordable housing for Atlantans who live and work in the City of Atlanta and is designed to keep Atlanta rents relatively affordable for working individuals and households within the income range of police, firefighters, teachers, City and County employees, and young professionals. 

Additional Requirements:

  • The affordability requirement is in effect for the subsidy agreement.
  • The Affordable Workforce Housing Units shall be substantially similar in construction and appearance (e.g., square footage, type and brand of appliances, materials used for countertops, flooring, etc.) to the market-rate units, and shall not be in isolated areas in the development but shall be interspersed among market rate units.
  • The number of bedrooms in the Affordable Workforce Housing Units (e.g. 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom) shall be proportionate to the number of bedrooms in the market rate units.

Helpful Resources

The Office of Housing & Community Development publishes income and rent limits for the program on an annual basis. Developers can also find the appropriate forms and instructions in the attachments below.

Still have questions?

Phone: 404-865-8989
Email: DCPIZ@Atlantaga.gov
Address: Department of City Planning - Office of Housing and Community Development
55 Trinity Ave, Suite 1450, Atlanta, GA 30303