Closer Look: GA Trust West Atlanta Preservation Initiative; PROSPER Georgia

Thursday on “Closer Look with Rose Scott”:

• 0:00: A group of workforce advocates have come together to form a new organization dedicated to building an “inclusive economy.” It’s called PROSPER Georgia. Alex Camaradelle, senior policy analyst at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute tell us more.
• 27:41: Located on Harwell Street on Atlanta’s Westside is the Johnson family home. Built in 1953, the home belonged to the family of Edward Johnson, a World War II flight instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Johnson later became the first African American licensed master electrician in Atlanta. Over the decades the home remained in the family, and recently it was acquired by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation from a family member. Now, the organization says their goal is to renovate the properties, which includes two homes and an undeveloped lot. The homes will then be sold to low to middle-income families in an effort to provide affordable housing while promoting historical preservation. We take a tour of one of these homes to learn more about its history, and how the Georgia Trust hopes to inspire more community groups to work on issues of affordability through the West Atlanta Preservation Initiative.

Closer Look is produced by Candace Wheeler and Grace Walker.