Latest news with #LilianaBakhtiari
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
If Atlanta Is a Black Mecca, Why Are 8 Out of 10 Homeless People Black?
Forty-seven percent of Atlanta residents are Black, but the city commonly referred to as the Black Mecca had a homeless population in January that was 80% Black, according to the latest Point-In-Time homelessness census count released on Monday. Of equal concern, on Jan. 27, the city logged 131 homeless families, an 18% rise from the same month last year. Roughly 90% of the individuals in those families were Black, down about 2 points from 2024. Like many cities in America, Atlanta has seen an increase in homelessness — primarily fueled by Black people living on the margins — for a third consecutive year. But city leaders and advocates alike are touting that the rate of increase has slowed considerably. The annual survey of homeless people in the metro area revealed a 1% rise in Atlanta's overall homeless population. The city saw a 7% year-over-year increase in 2024, and a 33% surge in 2023. The results from this year's PIT count show the city's homeless crisis appears to be 'stabilizing,' according to Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME — the nonprofit that manages Atlanta's PIT count on behalf of the federal government. Vassell told Capital B Atlanta that Black Atlantans remain overrepresented among individuals experiencing homelessness due to 'continued disproportionate inequities' in the metro area. The stark disparity underscores the ongoing economic challenges and affordable housing crisis many Black people face in a gentrifying metropolis fueled by a booming economy that has become known as the most unequal city in America. 'We know that there is gross income inequality that is disproportionate racially in our community as well,' Vassell said. 'That is all contributing to the disproportionate representation of people of color in our system.' The PIT count data showed Atlanta's higher cost of living has fueled a sizable rise in the city's number of homeless families this year despite signs that municipal leaders have reached a turning point in their battle to provide housing to people living on the margins. Read More: Atlanta's Largest Homeless Encampment Is About to Be Cleared The nearly 27% rate of consumer price inflation in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area between January 2020 and August 2024 was the third highest in the nation, according to a Pew Research study released in October. The fact that 8 out of 10 homeless people are Black in a city known as a Black Mecca should 'stop everyone in their tracks.' Liliana Bakhtiari, Atlanta City Council member '[The data] is a signal that the house is still on fire, and the scale of the crisis is bigger than what cities alone can handle,' Atlanta City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari told Capital B Atlanta after attending a briefing on this year's PIT count last week. The fact that 8 out of 10 homeless people are Black in a city known as a Black Mecca should 'stop everyone in their tracks,' according to Bakhtiari. 'That's not a coincidence, that's the product of a system that's failed Black families for generations — due to redlining, due to wage discrimination, due to mass incarceration, due to unequal access to healthcare and education,' she added. 'Homelessness isn't just a housing problem. It's a justice problem.' The report noted the strides the city has made addressing homelessness in recent years, citing that the overall homeless population has declined 30% since 2016 and about 11% since 2020 despite increasing for the past three years. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has made increasing affordable housing and combatting homelessness two of his signature issues since taking office almost four years ago. Last year, the Atlanta City Council allocated $60 million at Dickens' request to addressing the growing homelessness problem. Those funds, Vassell said, are paying for construction of 500 rapid housing units for the homeless, including 40 apartments at the Melody Project, located in southern downtown Atlanta, and 23 at the Bonaventure, both of which opened last year. Dickens' office hasn't responded to requests for comment. Read More: Revamped Motel Gives Atlanta Unhoused Second Chance— But for How Long? 'By the end of the year we will have brought on 500 units from that $60 million,' Vassell said. Unfortunately, Vassell warns, the progress Atlanta has made housing its homeless population could be undone later this year if President Donald Trump advances his plan for significant budget cuts. The Trump administration has proposed cutting rental aid by 40% in its 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' which the U.S. House approved in May. Vassell called the proposed cuts 'terrifying' and said it could eliminate Atlanta's permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing programs funded through the city's Continuum of Care resources. As many as 2,000 people could lose stable housing, according to Vassell. 'This would be a tragic impact across our community,' she said. The post If Atlanta Is a Black Mecca, Why Are 8 Out of 10 Homeless People Black? appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Chases shouldn't happen:' Lawmakers demand change after 19-year-old killed during GSP chase
City and state lawmakers are calling on the Georgia State Patrol to stop their pursuit practices. This follows the death of a 19-year-old who was hit and killed when a suspect GSP troopers were chasing ran a red light and hit the teen. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'Chases should not happen,' said Atlanta City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari Wednesday afternoon in a press conference. She is among those calling for change from the Georgia State Patrol's pursuit policy. It comes after a crash Monday at Moreland and McClendon, where a car was hit by a driver who was being pursued by the Georgia State Patrol for traffic violations. Cooper Schoenke, 19, was killed. His mother was alerted immediately to the crash. 'She got an alert on her phone from Cooper's phone that he had been in an accident,' said Cooper's family friend Kate Weaver. Cooper's mother went right to the scene to find her worst nightmare: her only son, gone in an instant. 'Let me be clear, their actions were not about the safety of the public; this was about a need for speed,' said Devin Barrington Ward with the National Police Accountability Project. 'We need to make sure we are holding law enforcement agencies accountable,' said councilmember Bakhtiari. TRENDING STORIES: Woman accused of hosting sister's Sweet 16 hotel party with guns, drugs, nearly 30 teens Popular beach vacation spot can 'no longer be a Spring Break town' Georgia special tax refund: Who's eligible, how much you'll get, how you'll receive it Cooper's family also wants to see change. 'I think a more responsible pursuit policy would honor Cooper's legacy in a meaningful way. If that can stop even one more innocent life from being lost, it's absolutely what should happen,' said Weaver. In a statement from Governor Kemp's spokesperson on the calls for change, Garrison Douglas said, 'Let's be clear: the leaders of the rejected Defund the Police movement have another bad idea and by misidentifying the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, have proven once again that they lack basic understanding of the facts. Those who break the law and act recklessly are to blame for the tragic and needless loss of these lives, and it's shameful that anyone would seek to diminish the actions of those who caused these deaths and shift blame onto those who put their lives on the line every day to safeguard our communities. It is thanks to the brave and dedicated work of law enforcement and the full rejection of these short-sighted arguments that we have seen a historic drop in crime in our Capital city.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta considering new rules to crack down on short-term rental parties
The Brief Atlanta lawmakers propose new rules requiring short-term rental owners to obtain city permits and limit rentals in apartment buildings. Landmark condo tower cited as a hotspot for party complaints tied to Airbnb and VRBO listings. City planning officials will gather input from all Neighborhood Planning Units before moving forward. ATLANTA - The debate over short-term rentals in Atlanta is intensifying, as city lawmakers consider new legislation aimed at reducing disruptive parties and reining in rental activity in multifamily buildings. PREVIOUS STORY: Atlanta City Council to vote on stricter regulations for 'party houses' What we know The proposed ordinance would require owners listing properties on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO to obtain a city-issued permit to operate legally. It would also limit the number of short-term rentals allowed in apartment buildings and cap how many single- and two-family vacation homes can operate within a certain distance of one another. SEE ALSO: Atlanta seeks to limit short-term party house rentals A key focus of the debate last week was The Landmark condominium tower in downtown Atlanta, which city leaders say has seen a surge in complaints linked to short-term rentals. What they're saying "The number of party issues that we have at this location, the fact that most owners have been pushed out due to the Airbnb properties — it is exactly condominiums such as yours that makes regulations such as this incredibly important," said Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari during a public hearing. Industry representatives said they support workable regulations. "We encourage our members to apply and comply with the law," one advocate said, adding that they're seeking "an ordinance that's legally sound, practical and enforceable." What's next Before any plan is finalized, the Department of City Planning will collect feedback from all of Atlanta's Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) as part of the public input process.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Atlanta exempts Beltline, other projects from city's tree protection ordinance
The Brief The Atlanta City Council has voted to temporarily exempt the Beltline and other major infrastructure projects from the city's tree ordinance. Officials say the tree ordinance slows or obstructs infrastructure projects - causing delays and higher development costs without added public benefit. The exemption will remain in effect until March 17, 2026, or until the Atlanta City Council approves another revised Tree Protection Ordinance. ATLANTA - The Atlanta City Council has voted to temporarily exempt the Beltline and other infrastructure projects from the city's tree ordinance. After a debate at Monday's meeting, the council members voted unanimously to approve the exemption. Two council members, Andrea Boone and Liliana Bakhtiari, did not vote. The backstory The tree ordinance is in place to protect the city's tree canopy and regulates what both public and private groups and individuals can do to the "City in a Forest's" foliage. The most recent update to the ordinance was in late 2023, when the city made changes to increase canopy cover and support preservation of the plants. The city's goal is to have its tree canopy covering 50% of its land area, but a 2024 report from Rough Draft showed the number has dropped to a tad more than 46%. While advocates for the ordinance point to its positive impact on energy costs and air quality, officials say the restrictions slow or obstruct infrastructure projects - causing delays and higher development costs without added public benefit. What we know City council members say the exemption will allow the city to clear a backlog of projects that have been delayed by the ordinance. The measure would make public infrastructure projects involving the Atlanta Beltline and the Path Foundation exempt. Also included would be projects administered by the City of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management (DWM), Department of Transportation (ATLDOT), and Department of Enterprise Assets Management (DEAM). Despite the exemption, the new measure would ask the city to plant trees on project sites "to the maximum extent feasible." Departments given the exemption will be asked to submit annual reports on how their ongoing infrastructure projects affect the canopy and what they are doing to mitigate the reduction. What's next The exemption will remain in effect until March 17, 2026, or until the Atlanta City Council approves another revised Tree Protection Ordinance. The Source Information for this story came from the Tree Protection Ordinance, the Atlanta City Council's motion, and a report from Rough Draft.
