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Before a builder pours a foundation or frames a home, residential developers spend years navigating zoning, land development and permitting approvals. These early steps in the residential development process play a major role in determining housing costs and availability.
Jay Knight, chairman and co-founder of the Georgia Residential Land Development Council (GRLDC) joins Host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss how Senate Bill 447 is changing Georgia’s permitting process and what policy reforms could make housing more attainable for future homebuyers.
Housing Affordability Begins Long Before Construction
GRLDC was founded after several competing developers recognized they were facing the same challenges within Georgia’s residential land development process. By joining forces, members created a unified voice to advocate for policy reforms that address industrywide barriers.
Senate Bill 447 Brings Predictability to Permitting
One of GRLDC’s first major initiatives resulted in Senate Bill 447, legislation designed to improve accountability and consistency in land disturbance permit reviews. The law does not change engineering standards or limit municipal oversight. Instead, it establishes a more predictable timeline for completing reviews.
Permit approvals that once stretched nearly a year could now move through the process in just over 10 weeks, helping bring finished lots to market faster and increasing housing supply.
Permitting reform also requires greater collaboration from all parties involved. Developers and engineers must submit more complete plans, while municipalities have clearer expectations for review timelines.
“It raises the level of performance on the developer and the engineer. It also creates some accountability for the municipality,” said Knight.
How Development Delays Increase Home Costs
Although permitting reform marks an important milestone, Knight believes additional opportunities exist to lower housing costs before construction begins. GRLDC’s next priority is reforming final plat recording and bonding processes. Lengthy administrative delays after construction is complete can leave millions of dollars tied up in development loans, increasing carrying costs that eventually reach homebuyers.
“The buyer ends up paying $15,000 more for the house with no benefits whatsoever,” said Knight.
Eliminating unnecessary delays could reduce home prices by thousands of dollars while improving affordability across the market.
Defining Affordable Housing in Georgia
The conversation around affordable housing also requires a clearer definition of what affordability means. Rather than focusing solely on government programs or subsidies, affordability should be measured by whether essential workers can realistically purchase homes in the communities where they live and work.
“The definition of an affordable house is what your municipal employee can afford to purchase,” said Knight.
Expanding housing options requires the ability to build homes that align with what Georgia families can realistically afford. However, local regulations and development requirements can sometimes make lower-cost housing difficult to deliver.
Working alongside local and state home builders associations, GRLDC hopes to create a more efficient residential development process while expanding housing opportunities for Georgia families.
To learn more about GRLDC, visit https://grldc.org/.
About Georgia Residential Land Development Council (GRLDC)
The Georgia Residential Land Development Council (GRLDC) is a coalition of leading developers, builders and industry stakeholders dedicated to improving land development and permitting processes across Georgia. The organization advocates for policies that increase housing supply, streamline regulations and promote responsible growth. By working collaboratively with policymakers and industry partners, GRLDC advances solutions that help ensure Georgia can meet current and future housing demand.
Click here for more GRLDC news.
Podcast Thanks
Thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006 and podcasting since 2011. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will suit your needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.
About Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio
Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it. Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio was recently honored on FeedSpot’s Top 100 Atlanta Podcasts, ranking 16th overall and number one out of all ranked real estate podcasts.
