#housing #Atlanta #ARC #AtlantaRegionalCouncil #FederalReserve

I offer some data and also some ideas for how our leaders should proceed. I welcome your ideas as we seek to create more balance, certainty and opportunity for all Americans.

That includes empty nesters who want to downsize or young couples who are seeking to grow their families. But it's also young professionals, recent transplants and small business owners eager to keep the lights on.

Yes, efforts to address housing for low-income and homeless residents are important, but the squeeze on the middle class is very real.

I wrote this column to address the middle class housing crisis that afflicts Atlanta (and other parts of the country too).

I looked at a combination of factors -- soaring housing prices and rents over five years, an increase in houses pulled off the markets year over year, economic uncertainty, inflation and a possible third Federal Reserve interest rate cut tomorrow.

Housing is a top area of interest for me as an opinion journalist, but as a newcomer I needed some time to study the Atlanta market.

Christopher Plummer as General Chang reciting the words in Klingon in “Star TrekVI: The Undiscovered Country.”
youtu.be/HsCVuO1yeJc?...

Please give me a follow and happy to connect. If you know Atlanta, I'd love to know your tips on navigating the city, favorite spots and recommendations for things to do.

Oh, yes, and one of my favorite columns this year was about #BadBunny - name the No. 1 global Spotify artist of 2025 and next year's Superbowl halftime show performer.

www.ajc.com/opinion/2025...

My goal is to share musings, observations and columns, as opinion editor. You can find my work at this link: commentary running the gamut from Kamala Harris's book to Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation and from MARTA to same-sex marriage.
www.ajc.com/staff/david....

My old Bsky account was @davidplazas.bsky.social. Since it was linked to my Tennessean.com address, I decided to create this new one. I certainly miss Nashville and loved my time there, but I am so excited about this opportunity to grow in a new city with some an amazing history and bright future.