Director of Gwinnett Housing and Community Development Division on establishing more affordable housing

A for sale sign stands outside a single-family residence on the market Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

While the nation is caught in an affordable housing crisis, Gwinnett County has decided to do something about it.

According to Rocket Homes, as of May 2023, homes in Gwinnett are selling for 7.4% more than they did a year ago. The average median sales price for a home in Gwinnett County is just over $404,000.

On top of accelerated housing costs and inventory shortages, Georgia’s second-largest county is experiencing rapid growth in population. It’s deepening the affordable housing crisis.

In response, Gwinnett County recently created the Housing and Community Development Division following the recommendation of a housing study.

On Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look” Matt Elder, the director of the division, discusses the new division, his top priorities and a recent proposal to spend leftover COVID relief funding to create affordable housing in Gwinnett County.