Community Development Month kicks off in Good Life City

Bringing light to Albany's housing situation

ALBANY, Ga. – Albany community leaders declared this afternoon the start of Community Development Month.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche tells us what the Good Life City is doing to combat housing inequality.

Albany officials came together downtown early this afternoon to kick off Community Development Month, highlighting the community and the work that needs to be done to continue improving it.

Albany Mayor, Bo Dorough says that the Good Life City is in what he calls “a paradox” when it comes to their current housing situation.

“We have hundreds of vacant, dilapidated houses. And, these homes we have learned are not suitable for renovation. It would be cost prohibitive to renovate those properties. So, at the same time, we’re demolishing properties, we are having to build homes, apartments for those who do not have suitable housing, said Mayor Dorough, City of Albany.

Starting in the 1980s, National Community Development Month was created to highlight the Community Block Development Grant; and in Albany, it means rehabbing homes in the city to the point where people are more interested in buying homes.

“Because we have so many renters in our community, Albany is predominantly a renter’s city, with greater than 50 percent of the population renting, as opposed to owning their own homes,” said John Hawthorne, Jr., Community and Economic Development, City of Albany, Director.

And…during National Community Development Month, Albany’s Department of Community and Economic Development is trying to make sure that those who are in need of affordable housing aren’t discriminated against.

“As a department, we try to make sure that everyone is aware of what their rights are, when it comes to the protected class on the federal government, as well as what the Georgia landlord-tenants rights to make sure that it’s equal, balanced, and that they can live anywhere they want. So that’s what fair housing is all about,” said Betty Jackson, Housing Counselor, Community and Economic Development, City of Albany.

Though it may seem as if things are moving slowly, the city is trying to make these massive changes happen.

“By highlighting this, we’re bringing the community together, and informing the community of the things we are doing, and letting the community know that it’s a long road ahead of us. But, we are working diligently, and being stewards in a tight period of money to make sure that we are combatting the housing situation here in Dougherty county,” said Tracy Taylor, Chairman, Community Development Council

While there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done, many are optimistic about the future of Albany’s housing.

The City of Albany will be hosting a cookout in Tift Park on Saturday, April 15th at 10 a.m. to officially conclude National Community Development Week.

Brian Roche reporting.

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