In our continuing series on community development organizations making a difference in the Southeast, this month we feature Atlanta Land Trust and speak with Executive Director Amanda Rhein about the work.
Enterprise: Tell us a little bit about the work that you do at Atlanta Land Trust
Amanda Rhein: The Atlanta Land Trust (ALT) creates pathways to affordable homeownership for low-income families. ALT operates as a community land trust which allows low-income homeowners to benefit from the equity built through homeownership while preserving the affordability of homes for future generations. Families purchase and own only the house then lease the underlying land from ALT. Through this arrangement, ALT has helped improve economic mobility for Atlantans by building generational wealth through affordable homeownership.
E: How are Section 4 funds used at your organization? What do you hope to accomplish when this project is complete?
AR: ALT has used Section 4 funds to build our organizational capacity through hiring additional staff and expansion of programming. ALT is leading the way toward a more sustainable approach to affordable housing in Atlanta guided by our strategic plan that establishes a goal to develop 300 permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes by 2025. In order to achieve this goal, ALT is working to strengthen internal capacity to scale with additional staff, technology and standard processes and procedures to operate efficiently and effectively.
E: How did Covid challenge Atlanta Land Trust?
AR: Covid changed how we engaged with our prospective homebuyers. All of our programming shifted from in-person to virtual. We have found that this has made our events more accessible for most participants and as a result, have had higher attendance than pre-pandemic. However, there are some constituents who cannot access online programming or are not comfortable with technology, so reaching these individuals has been more challenging. We have also found that it is more difficult to build trust and establish authentic, meaningful connections with residents and those we serve.
E: What have you learned in this unique and challenging time? Will you make any permanent changes going forward?
AR: We have learned that access to safe, affordable housing is more important than ever for Atlantans.
E: Tell us a little bit about how you at ALT see the next three, six and 12 months?
AR: In 2022 ALT will be focused on closing out our inaugural capital campaign. This fundraising effort was launched in 2021 to provide funding support for three projects across the city of Atlanta totaling 120 units. All three of ALT’s projects present urgent opportunities to mitigate gentrification resulting from public investments in the area with a comprehensive, equity-driven approach that connects people, place and quality of life. ALT has raised $7.5 million of our $10.8 million goal and we anticipate starting construction on all three projects in 2022.
E: What do you think will change about affordable housing over the next five years? How are you excited about ALT impacting that change?
AR: I think we are seeing a growing recognition of the connection between homeownership and wealth creation. I believe we will see increased investment in homeownership as an opportunity to close the racial wealth gap in America and improve economic mobility for Black Americans.