1. City of Monroe
“It has been very transformational for us a city because it has changed the way we talk about housing, neighborhoods, and our challenges in these areas. I think we are in a much better place than 3 years ago, but it is clear we still have work ahead. Our housing expo is this Saturday [10/10/18], which is one of the most valuable developments that came from our GICH efforts.” - Sadie Krawczyk, Economic Development Director, City of Monroe (GICH ) east of Atlanta (Population 13,500)

2. Monroe: Lessons Learned
“Neighbors make good neighborhoods”
GICH Plan Accomplishments
Made visible neighborhood impacts
Educated team & elected officials
Supported home ownership
Faced reality of housing growth
Monroe Housing Expo and Clean Up Days

3. Monroe: Visible Impact
Community wide clean ups (cross-pollination of neighbors)
CHIP grant home renovations (6 completed, 1 more in process)
Housing Assessment data collection (meeting neighbors, hearing concerns)
Demolitions
Changes in City Departments
CDBG project

4. Monroe: Housing Growth
Defined Vision (comp plan, LCI master plan update, DDA work plans)
450 new homes approved for construction
325 home active adult community – city infrastructure underway
2 infill cottage neighborhood developments under construction
Main Street Walton LIHTC senior living infill development
6 new lofts being planned for construction downtown
New infill neighborhood plan meets 12 of 13 stated goals in our ordinances

5. Monroe: Housing Growth

6. Monroe: Housing Growth

7. Monroe: Housing Growth

8. Monroe: Housing Growth

9. Monroe: Other Surprises
New hires – new planning department head with an additional city marshal hire and a city planning position
New City Council committee + planning retreat
Rewrite of zoning ordinances to encourage infill redevelopment (IOD)
Partners – WBBOR, The Partnership for Families, Youth Advocacy Board, UGA service learning, HOPE Monroe, Young Gamechangers Recommendations

10. Monroe: What’s Next
Rebirth of Monroe housing team – more citizen leadership and diverse representation
Continued city discussion re: land bank; community improvement tax incentive; quality housing ordinance
ADU pre-permitted plan book?
Developer/Building/Real Estate lunch & learn programs (IOD & USDA tools)