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The Garden Springs tragedy makes it painfully
clear why Athens-Clarke County and the University of Georgia need to work
together to develop a comprehensive housing policy that addresses the needs
of low-income residents. The housing study suggested in a recent Banner-Herald
editorial would be an excellent place to start; in fact, much useful information
may already be available from UGA, which recently evaluated the local student
housing supply. Even in the absence of such a study, however, it is apparent
that there is a need for additional high-quality affordable housing. The
county needs to take a good look at how it is addressing this issue.
The Athens Grow Green Coalition is committed to working
with other organizations and the county to address the problem of affordable
housing. Although it may not be immediately apparent, reducing sprawl
and maintaining affordable housing are highly compatible goals. The people
who suffer most from poorly planned growth are those of lower income:
many must try to get to work without the use of a car in a car-oriented
world, and many must live in aesthetically unpleasing residential areas.
By incorporating various income levels into new neighborhoods and by making
new development friendly to pedestrians and transit users, we can greatly
improve the quality of life for lower-income families—-as well as the
rest of Athens-Clarke County residents.
Seth Wenger
On behalf of the Athens Grow Green Coalition
July 25, 2001
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