At Sizemore Group, we typically operate on the planning side of projects, but recently, we had the unique opportunity to contribute from a different perspective. Our long-time client, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), invited us to support a day of programming for the Regional Leadership Institute’s (RLI) session on housing. Randy Gibbs, AICP, a Sizemore Group planner, participated in this year’s RLI class and experienced the day firsthand.
On Day Three of the RLI, ARC introduced an innovative housing planning scenario. The Sizemore Group Planning Team, utilizing market data provided by KB Advisory, developed materials representing the fictional City of Centerville. The cohort was tasked with advising Centerville’s mayor by identifying areas for future residential growth and recommending policies aligned with the mayor’s housing goals.
The participants were asked to consider various factors influencing housing decisions, such as income, transportation, and education. They also addressed the need for affordable housing to serve Centerville’s housing-insecure and aging populations.
Ultimately, the cohort presented a range of policy and practical solutions to the mayor, incorporating best practices, partnerships, and policy tools. This novel, comprehensive approach helped the RLI class better understand the complexities of ensuring high-quality and affordable housing.
The discussions generated by the exercise were so impactful that ARC plans to refine and incorporate it into future RLI programs, further shaping housing strategies for both Centerville and the broader metro-Atlanta region.
Sizemore Group is proud of our longstanding partnership with ARC, and looks forward to supporting future regional initiatives.