Atlanta’s Critical Housing Shortage Exceeds 200,000 Homes

Atlanta, GA, August 5, 2025

News Summary

Atlanta is facing a severe housing shortage, with over 200,000 homes needed, especially in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. The demand for affordable housing has outstripped supply, leading many families to move further from the city center, resulting in longer commutes and increased traffic. Mayor Andre Dickens aims to create or preserve 20,000 affordable units by 2030 to tackle this growing issue. The housing deficit poses a challenge as the region expects to gain 1.8 million new residents by 2050.

Atlanta is experiencing a critical housing shortage, with new reports indicating that the metro area and surrounding regions are short more than 200,000 homes. This deficit primarily affects Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties, which have seen unsustainable growth in demand for affordable housing.

Fulton County leads the shortfall with over 75,000 homes needed. The Georgia Public Policy Foundation highlights that the growth in home building has not kept pace with the population increase over the last 20 years, during which approximately two million people have moved into the area. The lingering effects of the Great Recession continue to hamper the availability of housing across Georgia.

As families search for affordable living arrangements, many are pushed further away from the core of metro Atlanta, which results in longer commutes and increasing traffic congestion. A significant decline in affordable housing options has been documented, with over 230,000 low- to moderately priced housing units lost between 2018 and 2023. Specifically, 54,241 of these units rented for $800 or less, while 178,108 units rented between $800 and $1,500 were also eliminated.

The Atlanta Regional Commission projects that the region will gain 1.8 million new residents by 2050. To accommodate this growth, approximately 294,000 new housing units are expected to be necessary, alongside the preservation of nearly 41,000 existing units. In line with these projections, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has announced an ambitious initiative to create or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.

In Gwinnett County, local leaders have implemented a strategy utilizing federal COVID relief funds to establish an affordable housing development fund aimed at supporting low-income households. Meanwhile, DeKalb County officials focus on streamlining the permitting process to speed up housing project approvals. Reports indicate that the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta area itself still faces a housing deficit exceeding 100,000 homes.

In 2022, Atlanta was ranked eighth among the worst metro areas regarding housing deficiency. More alarmingly, over half of the renters in the Atlanta area are considered cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing expenses. The U.S. national housing shortfall is now at 3.85 million homes, with Georgia accounting for a significant portion of this shortage at 124,000 units.

In response to the housing crisis, Mayor Dickens’ administration is actively working on strategies that include leveraging public land for development and reducing bureaucratic impediments to the construction of affordable housing. Comprehensive policy changes are crucial in addressing Atlanta’s pressing housing needs and ensuring a sustainable future for its residents.

FAQ

Key Features of Metro Atlanta Housing Shortage

• Total housing shortfall: Over 200,000 homes
• Counties affected: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett
• Fulton County shortfall: Over 75,000 homes
• Population growth (last 20 years): 2 million
• Low- to moderately priced units lost (2018-2023): 230,000+
• Goal for affordable units by 2030: 20,000 (Mayor Dickens)
• National housing shortfall: 3.85 million homes

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Additional Resources

• WSB Radio: Major Housing Shortage in Georgia
• Wikipedia: Housing Shortage
• Axios: Affordable Housing in Atlanta Region
• 11Alive: Atlanta Affordable Housing Crisis
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing

Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER

The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.