Middle Income Housing Needs in Metro Atlanta, with Kristin Allin, Atlanta Regional Commission (North Fulton Voices, Episode 4)
This episode of North Fulton Voices, hosted by Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy from the North Fulton Improvement Network, focuses not just on the critical topic of workforce housing in the North Fulton region but examines this issue through the wider lens of the Metro Atlanta region. Special guest Kristin Allin from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) elaborates on the various initiatives, statistics, and challenges associated with housing and community planning in Metro Atlanta. They discuss the region’s immense population growth, the significant rise in housing prices, and the shortage of middle-income housing. The episode highlights how local governments, aided by ARC’s data and planning assistance, can address these challenges. The discussion also explores topics such as the impact of housing variety, the importance of mixed-income housing, and the role of policy and zoning in shaping the housing landscape. Community engagement and education are emphasized as crucial components in finding comprehensive solutions. Listeners are encouraged to get involved in local planning discussions and leverage resources available through ARC and the North Fulton Improvement Network.
North Fulton Voices is presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network. The show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Kristin Allin, Atlanta Regional Commission
Kristin Allin is a Senior Planner and Housing Specialist at the Atlanta Regional Commission.
Born in the Atlanta area, Kristin has resided in Decatur for over 19 years as a business owner and community leader. In her role at ARC, Kristin has helped to lead the Local Leadership Housing Action Committee, is assisting in re-instating the Regional Housing Task Force, serves on the advisory panel for the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum, and works within the ARC’s LCI and CDAP program to further affordable housing planning. She spearheaded the ARC’s application for the HUD PRO Housing Grant in hopes of funding direct housing support within the ARC’s programming.
Prior to joining the Atlanta Regional Commission, she was a Planner for the City of Decatur with a focus on housing policy. In this role, she was the staff liaison to the Affordable Housing Task Force and implemented several of its recommendations to reduce barriers to affordable housing in Decatur. Her most challenging policy implementation was the missing middle housing policy revisions to the zoning code. Kristin was also the lead in incorporating the Decatur Land Trust as a non-profit organization and serving as the staff liaison to the Decatur Land Trust Board. She created policies and procedures for Decatur’s Tax Allocation District and Housing Trust Fund.
Kristin’s career in affordable housing began in 2018 when she returned to school and received a Master of Urban Studies from Georgia State University. Her educational background includes earning an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California. From 2007 to 2023, Kristin co-owned and operated several small restaurants in Decatur and Atlanta. The experience of running small businesses has shaped her world view in understanding the challenges of standing up a small-scale business, supporting employees in this industry, and the link between housing, wages, and transportation as vital to the vision of a region that supports the success of all residents.
Atlanta Regional Commission
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties, as well as the City of Atlanta and 74 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s mission is to foster thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.
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Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Voices
00:24 Meet the Hosts and Guests
01:03 Overview of the Atlanta Regional Commission
02:16 Metro Atlanta Growth Statistics
04:17 Housing Crisis and ARC’s Role
06:48 Challenges in Housing Variety
09:04 Impact of Housing on Communities
14:55 Local Leadership Housing Action Committee
18:45 Community Engagement and Planning
20:27 Addressing Workforce Housing
24:27 Programs and Initiatives by ARC
34:27 Call to Action and Conclusion
North Fulton Improvement Network
The North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) is a think tank made up of community leaders from a variety of sectors, focused on missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. We come from the six cities making up the northern half of Fulton County, Georgia — Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs — and are working to address the widespread yet little-known financial vulnerability across the region. With stakeholders from sectors including business, nonprofit, faith, government, and citizens, we center our work on five areas of impact, seek to educate the public about these issues, build a network of individuals and organizations with innovative private and public solutions, and connect resources to those in need.
The leadership team of NFIN is Jack Murphy, Nancy Diamond, and Kathy Swahn.
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Jack Murphy
Jack Murphy is a volunteer with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is Chair of the North Fulton Improvement Network. He is also in his 21st year of working for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
He has served on both the National and Georgia Boards of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, responsible for Diversity, Advocacy, & Systemic Change. Jack is currently the national SVDP chair of Systemic Change and Advocacy.
Jack received a BA in psychology from Belmont Abbey College and a M.Ed. from UNC-Greensboro. Jack and his wife, Nancy, a retired elementary school principal, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. They live in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Nancy Diamond
Nancy Diamond is a Project Manager with Schmit & Associates, a real estate development firm, creating town center revitalization in communities all around the metro area.
Nancy served 8 years as a Roswell City Council Member, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem, with liaison positions with Community Development, Transportation, Recreation & Parks, and Public Safety.
In addition to her work with the North Fulton Improvement Network, Nancy has been active in area non-profit organizations, including board leadership positions in the STAR House Foundation, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, and the Roswell Rotary Club.
A native of Atlanta and a 42-year North Fulton resident, Nancy worked at Turner Broadcasting in the early years of CNN, then became a freelancer in sports television graphics. While raising her two daughters, she worked from home, first developing a corporate gift service, and later as a mortgage loan originator.
Nancy and her husband, Glenn, now relish the role of grandparents to 8-year-old Owen.
About North Fulton Voices
While North Fulton County is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States, the region faces a growing crisis: a severe shortage of housing options for middle-income employees, particularly essential workers such as first responders and teachers. Presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network, North Fulton Voices is the go-to source for in-depth analysis and discussion of missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. Listen as we understand the implications of this problem, explore innovative solutions, and examine why providing these housing options is vital for North Fulton’s future. The show is sponsored and offered as a service to the community by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray and Business RadioX – North Fulton
The North Fulton Voices show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
John Ray is a podcast show host and producer, and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.
John also operates his own business advisory practice, Ray Business Advisors. John’s services include advising solopreneur and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the author of the #1 nationally best-selling book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
John is the host of North Fulton Business Radio and The Price and Value Journey. North Fulton Business Radio, the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton region of Georgia, features a wide range of business and community leaders. The Price and Value Journey is devoted to solo and small firm professional services providers and covers issues such as pricing, value, and business development.
