Cornelia is set to hold the second of three town hall meetings over housing at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, at Shady Grove Baptist Church.
Members of the public are invited to attend the town hall, which will involve stakeholders including residents, business owners and city leaders who’ll provide feedback on the issue. In partnership with the University of Georgia and the state’s Department of Community Affairs, input gathered will later be analyzed and used to draft a long-term plan for Cornelia’s Commission to decide the future of development proposed throughout the city.
With a lack of affordable housing gripping Cornelia as well as much of the U.S., the dialogue comes at a pivotal juncture for the future of the city, which, like other municipalities, must navigate such challenges in the years ahead.
At the first town hall in March, led by Cornelia’s Community and Economic Development Director Jessie Owensby, about two-dozen local stakeholders and residents delved into dynamics of development and housing needs within the city, which has a median income of around $58,000 and a diverse blend of populace.
To accommodate a growing workforce, as discussed, Owensby introduced the concepts of infill (new construction on existing dilapidated properties) and redevelopment (remodeling existing homes in despair) as housing opportunities.
Stakeholders and attendees also discussed the need for diverse housing options that serve all age and income groups, with a combination of ideas offered during an open forum.
