Sandy Springs going in-depth for housing study
Sandy Springs is moving forward in selecting a firm for its in-depth housing study. Mayor Rusty Paul has said he wants to know the housing needs of the city’s wide-ranging population, from people experiencing homelessness to considerable wealth. The deadline for firms submitting proposals ends Thursday.
The study is coming about as city officials seek public input to redevelop the north end of Roswell Road between Dalrymple Road and the Chattahoochee River, before the bridge that leads to the city of Roswell.
According to the request for proposals (RFP) issued April 3, a firm will be selected in May. How quickly the firm will produce the study has not been determined, due to coronavirus and the statewide shelter-in-place order, said Sharon Kraun, Sandy Springs director of Communications.
The winning firm will be tasked with looking at different types of housing around town and the demographic that it draws. In addition, school performance, traffic congestion, crime and property values related to housing and communities are factors that city officials want to know about.
In a review of apartment complexes in Sandy Springs, the firm will show turnover rates, the age of the development, units that are subsidized housing, a description of typical tenants and other information.
Affordability and obstacles to home ownership for renters, and workers who commute daily from other cities will also be in the final report. Surrounding neighborhoods in the north end have low, medium and high-income residents. The median home value in Sandy Springs is more than $505,000.
