Atlanta Housing Nears $2 Million in Fundraising for Sustainability Initiatives

In partnership with the SouthFace Energy Institute, Atlanta Housing has now reached 95% of a five-year sustainable fundraising goal

ATLANTA, July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Atlanta Housing (AH), in partnership with SouthFace Energy Institute (SouthFace), one of the nation’s leading sustainability nonprofits, is moving closer to achieving a key goal of its five-year strategic plan with the recent receipt of a 2 million dollars federal grant to SouthFace, including $1.9 million will be used to improve the energy efficiency of Atlanta’s housing units. These “green” improvements will make 200 low-income multifamily housing units electrifiable and weather-resistant, out of AH’s ultimate goal of 8,250 green units.. The funds will also be used to train building managers on sustainable building management software, with training, tools and resources for properties. Atlanta Housing’s five-year strategic plan, launched in fiscal year 2023, had a fundraising goal of 2 million dollars towards sustainability initiatives that would improve the energy efficiency of AH units.

AH has made it a priority to collaborate with leading climate change, sustainability and resilience organizations, such as SouthFace, to secure the resources needed to help improve the energy efficiency of existing and future projects. This fundraising milestone places Atlanta Housing at 95% of its initial goal, on track to meet key sustainability and operational goals that will help reduce utility costs for residents and improve air quality and building performance standards.

“We deeply value our partnership with Southface, whose knowledge has already been instrumental to our award-winning Efficiency Rent Boost program,” said Terri M. LeePresident and CEO of Atlanta Housing. “Continued fundraising and strategic collaborations are essential to implementing innovative, planet-friendly solutions for more affordable, stable and healthier housing for our families, especially our older residents who are disproportionately impacted by high utility costs.”

Sustainability is integrated throughout AH’s strategic plan, including three of the plan’s six goals:

• Objective #1.C – Increase the designation of certified sustainable units to 33% to reduce the overall cost of living for residents.
• Objective #4.C – Increase 2 million dollars to improve the energy efficiency of AH units.
• Objective No. 6.C – In support of the The city of Atlanta 2019 Clean Energy Resolution to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035, AH will reduce its carbon footprint by 25% in five years.

Additionally, the Atlanta Housing Sustainability Initiative has been working over the past year to create a training cohort for AH’s real estate and development partners. This training cohort, ATL RES UP, was developed with partners at SouthFace and Bloc Power. It is a six-month program that will guide participating organizations through training sessions, staff time, site audits, tools and resources. The training will launch in August, with the first class scheduled for September.

Atlanta Housing is eager to expand these partnerships to improve the well-being and quality of life of residents and make meaningful contributions to the health of Atlanta citizens and neighborhoods.

ABOUT ATLANTA ACCOMMODATION
President and CEO Terri M. Lee heads the Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (AH), the largest housing authority in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation. AH carries the prestigious Moving to Work (MTW) ​​designation and is an industry leader in providing and facilitating affordable housing resources for nearly 27,000 low-income households comprised of approximately 45,000 individuals through its AH-owned residential communities, tenant- and project-based vouchers, supportive housing, and down payment assistance, where innovation leads the approach to make the dream of homeownership achievable for more Atlantans. Atlanta’s housing programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Visit AH at www.atlantahousing.org or follow us on social media @housingatlanta.

SOURCE HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF ATLANTA