Metro Atlanta officials unite to address housing crisis, gun control

ATLANTA—In the wake of an unprecedented housing crisis and growing gun violence locally and nationwide, DeKalb County District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is urging elected officials in neighboring counties to introduce legislation to find solutions. Cochran-Johnson recently introduced two resolutions in DeKalb to implement tenant protections and gun control measures.

“Housing and gun violence issues are not unique to DeKalb,” said Cochran-Johnson. “It’s time metro Atlanta counties unite in a cross-jurisdictional approach to address these important problems, as the solutions to these issues do not change from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.”

Several commissioners and councilmembers have answered the call: Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington Jr. (Fulton County, District 5), Commissioner DeMont Davis (Clayton County, District 4), Commissioner Natalie Hall (Fulton County, District 4 and vice chair), Councilman Antonio Lewis (Fulton County, District 12), Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman (Fulton County, District 6), and Commissioner Alana Sanders (Newton County, District 3).

Several commissioners and councilmembers have answered the call: Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington Jr. (Fulton County, District 5), Commissioner DeMont Davis (Clayton County, District 4), Commissioner Natalie Hall (Fulton County, District 4 and vice chair), Councilman Antonio Lewis (Fulton County, District 12), Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman (Fulton County, District 6), and Commissioner Alana Sanders (Newton County, District 3).

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, metro Atlanta is comprised of 12 counties, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties, and the city of Atlanta. With a population of approximately 4.7 million, the governing bodies have a profound responsibility to serve and protect the physical and economic wellbeing of each citizen.

“If we are to truly ensure our society is more just and equitable, we must make common sense reforms to protect our communities from rising gun violence and the egregious effects of poverty,” said Councilman Antonio Lewis. “If these aren’t central tenets for us as legislators,  we stand to lose another generation to the effects of both.”

At present, Georgia is ranked No. 7 in the top 10 worst states for affordable housing by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Higher rents are a national phenomenon and in 2021 rental rates rose in 48 of the nation’s 50 largest metro cities, with the average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Georgia rising more than 20 percent in 2021.

“When I look at the severity of the issues we all face and the lack of unity and movement across the federal, state and local levels as it relates to needed legislation, I am disturbed,” said Cochran-Johnson. “Perhaps, if we all come together, we can force the hand of those who represent us at the highest level to act. So, if we must spell out the proper course of legislative action for them, I’m happy to do so.”

The proposed DeKalb County Housing Crisis Resolution would establish a rental registry that enables researchers and policymakers to study the business practices of corporate landlords so counties can respond with appropriate local measures. A major component of the resolution was inspired by the rise of private investors, Wall Street and limited liability companies moving into the residential rental market, and requires landlords to register their properties, so it is known exactly where rental units are located within communities.

Moreover, the resolution will implement broad-based tenant protections to limit rent increases, ancillary fees and fines, as well as promote security of tenure to ensure that the property rights of landlords do not take priority over the fundamental role of housing in supporting the life, safety, and welfare of all citizens.

“Newton County has over a 20 percent poverty rate, and it is very concerning to me as a legislator in this county,” said Commissioner Alana Sanders. “Housing rates have increased, but salaries have stayed the same. Residents are not making a sustainable income and have to deal with the continuous increase in the housing market.”

According to the American Public Health Association, gun violence is recognized as the leading cause of premature deaths in the United States and a report titled Gun Safety in America conducted by the Everytown For Gun Safety organization discovered that every day, more than 110 Americans are killed with guns and more than 200 are shot and wounded, resulting in more than 38,000 deaths and nearly 85,000 injuries annually.

The proposed DeKalb County Gun Control Resolution acknowledges gun violence as a public health crisis and includes the adoption of common-sense gun control legislation and the enforcement of laws that govern the criminal misuse of guns. It also urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to restore funding removed under the Dickey Amendment for firearms and and gun violence prevention research.

“Healthy living is not limited to having good physical and mental health,” said Commissioner Natalie Hall. “Nobody is healthy if they are spending most of their income on housing and are living in fear due to the increase in gun violence. We legislators must do what is in our power to ensure all residents live a truly healthy life.”

Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington Jr. agrees, stating “We as legislators are charged with creating sound legislation and balancing citizen’s individual rights with the greater good for all.”

In addition, the proposed Gun Control Resolution lends support for the development of evidence-based policy and prevention recommendations for gun use and ownership, including background checks and banning the sale, transfer, manufacturing and importation of assault weapons.

“As a mother, it is alarming to me that our judicial system cares more about unborn children than protecting the children currently living on this earth,” said Commissioner Alana Sanders. “There needs to be stricter qualifications put in place for those who want to access guns in the United States, including in Georgia. There also needs to be a ban on automatic weapons available to civilians. It is time for us to take more of a stance as public servants and actually take care of our residents.”

At present, both the DeKalb County Housing Resolution and DeKalb County Gun Control Resolution are being reviewed for consideration by the Board of Commissioners in the Planning, Economic Development & Community Services Committee and Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee, respectively. Both will undergo friendly amendments with an anticipated adoption by the Board of Commissioners in the coming months. Once complete, the resolutions will be sent to Georgia state senators, congressmen, and the General Assembly.

On Wednesday, July 14, Commissioners Arrington and Hall introduced similar resolutions regarding the housing crisis and gun violence to the Fulton County Commission with the support of Commissioner Abdur-Rahman, both passing 4-0.

Councilman Lewis, Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Sanders are expected to present resolutions to their respective municipalities for consideration and adoption in the coming weeks.

“Advocating for the health and safety of our communities should be at the core of what we do as elected officials,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “I’ve had many conversations with hard-working and peaceful residents who are struggling due to economic hardships and housing shortages or are concerned with their physical safety. I truly believe that together, we can progressively move metro Atlanta and Georgia forward to make a better place for us all.”