Atlanta is grappling with a significant affordable housing crisis, as highlighted by recent surveys and studies. The 2025 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey revealed that 28% of respondents identified housing affordability as the region’s most pressing issue. Additionally, 62% of participants stated they couldn’t afford to move to another home in their current neighborhood, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Between 2019 and 2024, the metro area lost approximately 250,000 homes priced below $1,250 per month, affecting all 11 counties in the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). To address this shortfall, experts estimate that by 2035, the region will need to preserve or create 116,000 affordable housing units. This effort is part of a broader goal to accommodate growth from 396,000 new jobs and 350,000 new households, necessitating a total of 367,000 new homes by 2035.
Community leaders and organizations are actively working to tackle this challenge. Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration has delivered or is in the process of delivering 12,000 affordable housing units, with a goal of reaching 20,000 units by 2030. Nonprofits are also playing a crucial role in closing the housing gap, emphasizing the need for a collaborative, multi-county effort to develop sustainable solutions.
As Atlanta continues to grow, addressing the affordable housing crisis remains a top priority. Through coordinated efforts between government agencies, nonprofits, and community stakeholders, the city aims to create a more inclusive and accessible housing market for all residents.