Atlanta Outlines Plan to Help Retain First Responders Living in City by Helping with Rent – ​​WSB-TV Channel 2

This program is known as the Community Safety Housing Program (CSHP). It provides rental assistance to firefighters, corrections officers and police officers.

To be eligible, participants must live within city limits and perform community service hours outside of work hours. In exchange, they receive up to $850 per month in housing assistance.

According to Zillow data, rental prices in the city have increased nearly 36% over the past five years.

Rising prices forced Myers to leave the city she serves.

“I had to choose to live outside the city limits. It wasn’t the same place, it wasn’t my community,” Myers said.

The problem is common to cities across the country, according to Atlanta City Councilman Amir Farokhi.

“I talk to firefighters and police officers all the time who live in Conyers or Kennesaw and they tell me they’d love to live in the city, but it’s too expensive,” Farokhi said.

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Farokhi authored the legislation, which is designed to help the city retain first responders.

“We’ve seen a decrease in crime on the streets where officers who participate in this program live. We’ve also seen improved recruitment and retention in both programs,” Farokhi said.

Currently, the program is small and only 50 people are receiving assistance.

The program currently has a waiting list, and Farokhi hopes to see it grow in the coming years, helping to give back to the people who serve the city.

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