Atlanta Council Advances Plan to Cap HUD Income Metrics

The Atlanta City Council moved forward with a measure to influence federal housing affordability standards on Tuesday. The Community Development/Human Services Committee unanimously passed a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to change its calculation of area median income (AMI). District 3 Councilmember Byron Amos sponsored the text, which the full council will consider on Monday, November 2. Although the resolution cannot mandate a federal change, it asks HUD to adjust its metrics to better reflect local conditions.

The resolution outlines five specific changes for HUD to consider. First, it asks the agency to base AMI adjustments on observed local income growth instead of national inflation factors. Second, it proposes capping annual AMI increases at between 3% and 5%, unless documented local gains justify a higher figure. Third, it requires HUD to maintain separate tiers for households earning 30% of AMI and below when setting rent limits and eligibility criteria.

The fourth point directs HUD to use population-weighted income medians and subarea analysis to capture income variations within metropolitan areas. The fifth point prevents automatic rent increases in HUD-assisted programs caused solely by AMI changes. Instead, HUD would conduct an affordability impact analysis before raising maximum allowable rents. The measure aims to prevent artificial rent spikes that currently outpace income growth for many residents.

If the full council approves the resolution, it takes effect immediately. The City Department of Planning, the Housing Innovation Lab, and Atlanta Housing will engage with HUD during any rulemaking or comment periods. These agencies will submit technical comments supporting the proposed changes. The municipal clerk will also send copies of the resolution to the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Georgia congressional delegation, and the relevant House and Senate committees.

Councilmember Amos stated that the concept of affordability is slipping away for everyday Americans. He noted that the legislation strikes at the heart of that issue. Amos hopes federal representatives from the state will support the effort. "Just the concept of affordability is slowly slipping out of the grasps of everyday Americans. This paper [legislation] actually strikes at the heart of it," Amos said.

Maurice Harper, a retired veteran and senior, moved to an Atlanta Westside housing complex last month with his granddaughter. He pays $720 per month, which is about $500 less than his previous rent. Harper described his new home as quiet, secure, and affordable. "These are very nice. They’re quiet. Highly secured. And it’s affordable, which is a great thing for people like me," Harper said. He warned that past rent spikes in government housing have forced difficult financial choices. "Your monthly expenses exceed what you’re bringing in. So you’ve got to make a decision. Do I pay this or do I pay that, do I pay that or do I pay this, do I eat, or do I get my medicine. And that’s a real world we’re in right now," Harper said.