Programs: Affordable housing program: the organization provides quality affordable housing to low-to-moderate income residents of athens-clarke county, georgia by construction of new homes and renovation of existing homes. The program produces energy efficient homes that remain in the affordable housing program by the use of ground lease agreements and the community land trust model. In 2017, 4 homes were sold and 2 new homes were completed. At the end of 2017, 18 homes were under lease purchase agreements and 6 affordable rental units were occupied by local families. Athens land trust is a hud approved housing counseling agency and provides both individual and group education services to clarke, oconee, barrow, jackson, elbert, madison, oglethorpe, walton and franklin counties. In 2017, alt provided 328 client services through counseling and education classes.
community ag: this program strives to support communities by developing a local food system, strengthening the economy at the neighborhood level, and building knowledge of issues and benefits of eating fresh, local produce. In 2017, 70 micro-entrepreneur opportunities were started or supported and 31 new businesses received business development assistance. The farmers network grew and provided farm business planning and technical assistance to 45 socially disadvantaged farmers. We expanded our produce stands to 6 locations & over 1600 volunteer hours were devoted to garden development & maintenance within the community garden network. $1791 snap dollars were spent at w broad farmers market, which we doubled with support of wholesome wave georgia (total $3798 snap sales). We support young urban farmers program by providing job training & education centered around sustainable agriculture & entrepreneurship to youth. In 2017, 33 youth were served through the program.
land conservation programs: the organization permanently protects greenspace by accepting, monitoring, and enforcing permanent conservation easements that protect the lands conservation values. Alt now holds easements and free land in 36 ga counties-16,485 acres. In 2017, the org closed on 8 projects, helping protect 2028 acres in 8 counties in ga, including 1537 acres of natural forest, 201 ac of wetlands, & 278 ac of working lands as well as 9. 5 miles of streams. Notably, these lands include natural habitats and river frontage in addition to working agricultural lands and lands of historical significance and land for public recreation. Many of these tracts connect with other protected land, as we work to create corridors adjacent to national forest, wildlife management areas, and land protected by other land trusts. The program reached over 585 participants to educate and improve knowledge about conservation practices on agricultural and natural lands in ga.
