ANDP - Building, investing in and advocating for mixed income communities.

our mission Our mission is to promote, create and preserve mixed income communities through direct development, lending, policy research and advocacy that result in the equitable distribution of affordable housing throughout the metropolitan Atlanta region. housing development Developing and preserving environmentally sustainable, mixed income communities with area partners. MORE housing finance Lending to builders of affordable and mixed income housing communities in metro Atlanta MORE research and advocacy Changing public policy to support the preservation and creation of mixed income communities MORE Are you facing foreclosure? If you feel like you may be in danger of facing foreclosure, the time to call 888-995-HOPE™ is now!
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ANDP is dedicated to preserving and increasing the availability of mixed income and affordable housing in our region. We welcome your support!

Frequently Asked Questions

Exactly what does ANDP do?

ANDP was established in 1991 to lead and coordinate community-based development throughout the metropolitan area. ANDP advocates for and helps provide for affordable, mixed income housing. We help make housing happen through various kinds of loans for neighborhood rehabilitation and for new developments in partnership with both the non-profit and private sectors. ANDP works to bring affordability to market developments and provide resources to underserved neighborhoods.

Who owns ANDP? Is it a public company?

ANDP is a private, non-profit organization that depends upon a blend of funding to support its work.

Will ANDP give me a grant to buy a house?

No, but we can put you in touch with programs that will teach you how to save for a down payment and prepare you to be a responsible and knowledgeable homeowner.

What is the difference in the terms “mixed income” and “affordable housing?”

Affordable Housing: The ability of a person to afford to live near family, the workplace, services and other locations of importance to them without having to spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

Mixed Income: Communities, developments and neighborhoods where there is a range of housing cost opportunities for different income levels. In a mixed income community, grandparents on a fixed income would be able to live in the same neighborhood as their grandchildren. While these two terms are frequently used interchangeably, they are not synonyms. A mixed income community provides affordable housing, but affordable housing can exist outside of mixed income communities. The term “mixed use” refers to a development that can include office space, residential and retail. It doesn’t always mean the units are affordable.

Everyone has to live in an apartment or house that they can afford. So, when you say affordable housing aren’t you really talking about people on government assistance and the working poor?

Not at all. In the past ten years, housing costs have risen percentage wise faster than the increase in salaries in the region. We now see people, like teachers, fire fighters, bank tellers, administrative assistants, young professionals, etc., who can’t afford a home close to their places of employment. Yes, the working poor need affordable housing, but these days people who are considered low-to-middle class are also struggling to find affordable housing.

I can understand why we need affordable housing, but why do we need mixed income housing?

Mixed income communities are good for communities, fostering economic growth. The economic health of an area should not rest solely on one industry or income group. Mixed income communities help shorten commutes because workers at a nearby business who are from different income levels can all afford to live near their jobs. That helps traffic congestion, air quality and gives people more time with their families. For example, service workers, bank tellers or store clerks at an outlying mall probably can’t afford housing near their jobs and there is no mass transit to get them there. So, they have to rely on a car, which raises their expenses and contributes to traffic problems. Mixed income housing does not mean that there is a shack down the street from a two story family home. There could be a structure that looks exactly like the family home on the outside, but is actually a triplex on the inside. Or there could be a slightly smaller single family home that has less amenities.

Does mixed income housing bring down property values and raise crime rates?

No. There is no evidence of an increase in crime resulting from mixed income housing. Most people seeking affordable housing want nothing more than to become part of a safe, secure community. Research has also shown that affordable housing has no negative impact on the price of houses in the area or the frequency of home sales in the area.

I live in Forsyth County. Why should I care about the “Atlanta” Neighborhood Development Partnership?

ANDP is dedicated to solving housing problems and supporting neighborhood and community revitalization in the metropolitan Atlanta region, which now consists of up to 24 counties. Look around at what is happening in your own area. Urban sprawl is fast approaching the mountains beyond Dahlonega. This affects air and water quality, traffic congestion and other environmental issues. ANDP and its partnership with other concerned, knowledgeable organizations believes there are ways to provide decent, safe, affordable homes for people without the necessity of having to commute farther and farther distances from their jobs into once rural counties. The other fact is that as your county grows, housing costs will go up and this may affect your ability to afford to stay in your own town.

I want to be a private contractor. I have never done that before, so will ANDP give me a loan to build houses?

No. ANDP works only with qualified, established contractors and developers who will partner with us to build developments that include affordable, mixed income components.
How can my neighborhood get help?

That depends on what kind of help you need. If your neighborhood wants training, information and/or education for residents on specific subject matter, ANDP can refer you to workshops, symposiums and roundtable discussions to help. ANDP can also help you understand neighborhood concerns such as predatory lending and gentrification.

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