James Nov-Dec 2023 web - Flipbook - Page 24
property owners and managers
prioritize the safety and quality of
homes they provide and are making
greater investments in community
safety than ever before. Our Association certainly encourages local
governments to hold true bad actors
accountable, but some properties
also need greater support from law
enforcement to address and prevent
further criminal activity.
Most importantly, when a resident or their guests are engaging
in criminal activity, we need legal
recourse to remove that threat and
protect the safety and enjoyment of
everyone else. In a recent presentation to Atlanta City Council, the
City Solicitor’s Office acknowledged
this challenge, citing eviction delays in Fulton County as a barrier to
the city’s “Safe and Secure Housing” program.
JAMES It’s clear that housing providers
are critical to the economic growth
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JAMES
and vitality of their communities.
Are there any unique ways the
Apartment Association and its members can participate in community
service or philanthropy?
Technical College System of Georgia
and Goodwill Industries to provide
technical training programs and rewarding career opportunities within
our industry.
duke Our members have a true passion and commitment to investing
in and serving the communities in
which we provide homes. One of the
largest and oldest representations
of this is our relationship with the
Atlanta Community Food Bank. To
date, our Association has contributed over 142 million meals to the
Atlanta Community Food Bank to
fight hunger across metro Atlanta
and North Georgia during our 36year partnership.
We also work closely with groups
like Open Doors Atlanta to provide
homes to veterans, families and individuals facing homelessness.
Furthermore, we invest in
education and workforce development through partnerships with the
JAMES As chairman of the Association, you help guide the industry’s
legislative agenda. What are your
top priorities for the 2024 General
Assembly?
NOVEM B E R/D EC E M B E R 2 0 2 3
duke Our industry is focused on working with our state leaders to make
sure Georgia remains an attractive
place to invest and provide housing.
Tort reform and controlling the rise
of nuclear verdicts is a huge part of
ensuring we can continue to provide
attainable housing options for all
Georgians. We don’t want ours to be
a state where housing providers are
unable to provide new multi-family
homes due to a developer’s inability
to obtain liability insurance because
of Georgia’s tort laws.