Single-Family Ordinance: Raising the cost of rent in Athens

The single-family ordinance prevents more than two unrelated people from living together in single-family zones in Athens, Georgia. Should we get rid of it or make an exception for homesteaded properties?

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Transcript:

Housing is so expensive in Athens for many reasons, but partly because of local government policy. One example is the single-family ordinance that prevents more than two unrelated people from living together in single-family zones.

“I bought a five-bedroom home last month, intending to live with others, not knowing about this ordinance…Before I was informed of the ordinance, I posted ads for the extra rooms in my home. I gave tours to truly droves of people. Due to the ordinance, I had to deny housing to more of these people than I would have to otherwise…Our community does not benefit from me having empty rooms in the house that I live in.”

This speaker asked for an exception in the ordinance for owner-occupied homes, which seems like a good compromise. You might wanna contact your commissioner and ask if they support an exception for homesteaded properties in the single-family ordinance.