Sandy Springs to try to cut number of renters

Sandy Springs has evaluated home ownership patterns, and determined about 56 percent of the housing stock is owner-occupied.

About 25,000 housing units, including houses and condos, are occupied by owners. About 20,000 apartments have tenants, or 44 percent of the stock, according to a staff analysis.

The percentage of rental apartments is slightly higher than the 40 percent target recommended by Fulton County staff in 1998.

To help reduce the citywide percentage of rental apartments, the city’s Comprehensive Plan encourages replacement of apartment buildings with condos and single-family starter homes, according to Nancy Leathers, the city’s director of community development.

Staff analyzed the housing stock and prepared a map demonstrating home ownership patterns in the city of 90,000 people, using data from the U.S. Census, the Atlanta Regional Commission and city inventories.

The City Council tonight is expected to discuss the findings. Future updates are expected every three months.