Developers Summit Draws 150 Attendees to Discuss Affordable Housing in Macon

On March 26, about 150 people gathered at Macon Mall for the Developers Summit, an event hosted by the Macon-Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund and Land Bank Authority to explore solutions for affordable housing in the area. The summit connected nonprofit and for-profit agencies with available incentives and resources to support housing development in Macon.

“The event was certainly a success with 12 agency experts presenting to nearly 150 participants. It was a lot to pack into one day, but we outlined clear next steps and options for ongoing support,” said Affordable Housing Fund Executive Director Natalie Bouyett. “We are hopeful that this event has generated a better understanding of local resources, and we hope to see an increase in momentum of affordable housing projects for Macon resulting from this summit.”

Speakers included representatives from Macon-Bibb County, Affordable Housing Fund, Land Bank Authority, Code Enforcement, Georgia Power, Planning & Zoning, HomeFirst, Macon Housing Authority, NewTown, and Economic and Community Development. Attendees gained insights into strategies and collaborations aimed at addressing Macon’s housing needs.

To date, the Affordable Housing Fund has committed $2 million to leverage an additional $16 million for affordable housing in the Historic Pleasant Hill Neighborhood. It has also provided a $325,000 loan to Habitat for Humanity, helping to secure $490,000 in funds for three single-family homes.

The Affordable Housing Fund was created with a $7.5 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act and is part of a broader effort involving organizations such as NewTown Macon, Historic Macon Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Knight Foundation, and Peyton Anderson Foundation. Nearly $12 million has been invested by Macon-Bibb County to support affordable housing initiatives.