First off, some good news! Since December, I have advocated for the County to apply for federal grant monies through Senator Warnock’s office to address affordable housing in East Athens, with particular interest in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity on a mixed-use space that includes affordable homes-to-own and opportunities for local enterprises to start brick-and-mortar businesses.
The Mayor has finally agreed! And next week, we’ll be greenlighting a grant application for $30 million to be put toward this affordable housing “village” and business center, if approved by the Senate.
Keep your fingers crossed that Warnock comes through! I would recommend reaching out to his office in support as this application makes its way through the Appropriations committee on Capitol Hill.
Okay, now some bad: last week the Mayor & Commission were made aware of numerous investigations into complaints about abuses at the ACC Jail. Complaints included inmate civil rights violations, inmate abuse and mistreatment, privacy violations, 23-hour lockdowns, and poor facility conditions. Family members of inmates have expressed deep concern for their loved ones well being. As well, ACC Jail employees have complained of severe understaffing, hostility, and sexual misconduct.
To address these issues and to seek resolution, I will be joining the Athens Area Discrimination Movement for a public town hall on March 31, 2022 at the AADM Justice Center & Bookstore (3700 Atlanta Highway, inside Georgia Square Mall) from 5:30 to 7pm. Those interested may also participate online by registering at this zoom link.
And last, a bunny! Heard Park will be hosting an easter egg hunt for the kids at 10:00am on April 9th. Donations for arts and crafts and prizes for the kids can be made to Taneisha Brooks on Cashapp ($goldilocs83) or Venmo (Taneisha-Brooks-1). All I’ma say is… costumes are looking pretty cheap on Amazon, so the Easter Bunny might be pulling up.
Til next time!