According to a new investigative report published by Atlanta Civic Circle, the City of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is being used to pay housing bond debt and staff salaries.
The trust fund was launched in 2021 to cover funding for affordable housing initiatives. However, the report suggests Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration used $4 million to pay staff and another $8.8 million to pay debt for city-issued housing bonds. The total spending equaled $12.8 million.
At the start of the 2025 fiscal year in July, the housing trust fund had a balance of $28 million; however, by April of this year, the fund had approximately $4.7 million.
On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” show host Rose Scott talked with Atlanta Civic Circle housing reporter Sean Keenan. He discussed his investigation further, including the response from housing advocates and some city officials.
“Closer Look” received this statement from a spokesperson for the City of Atlanta:
“Any accurate accounting of the city’s investment in housing must look beyond the general fund. The Mayor’s affordable housing Strikeforce has increased coordination across governmental agencies, organized, and concentrated resources with a single goal: accelerating affordable housing production. Between the various agencies on the Strikeforce, from Jan 1, 2025, through the end of FY 26, the city of Atlanta has already or will invest $750,000,000 across 50+ housing projects expected to produce over 5k units of affordable housing. This represents the largest investment in housing in an 18-month period in the city’s history. These investments are made possible by the staff of our partner agencies and staff at city hall. The affordable housing trust fund allows us to pay the staff at city hall who work diligently to coordinate and deliver the projects, design and implement innovative housing policy. Their efforts speak for themselves: 11k units delivered or under construction in less than 4 years.”
