Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson outlined significant plans to address affordable housing during her fifth State of the County address in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Hendrickson emphasized the importance of expanding affordable housing options and solutions to homelessness. She stated, “Opportunity is most powerful when it’s open to everyone,” emphasizing the county’s commitment to inclusivity. The county has purchased an extended stay hotel in Peachtree Corners for conversion into affordable rental housing. This acquisition was made possible through a $7.7 million investment, utilizing the Affordable Housing Development Fund and federal HOME-ARPA dollars.
“Housing availability and affordability are more challenging than ever but feeling at home here in Gwinnett is something we strive for every person to feel each day,” Hendrickson noted. In the previous year, the Board of Commissioners had allocated $21 million via several grant programs to tackle housing affordability.
Hendrickson highlighted that Gwinnett was recognized as the most diverse county in the United States. Reflecting on the county’s initiatives, she remarked, “We are not slowing down, scaling back, or compromising on our commitment to fairness and inclusion.”
On public safety, Hendrickson reported that Gwinnett County remains in the 88th percentile for safety compared to other counties in the country. She introduced the concept of community service aides, who will support the Gwinnett Police by handling tasks that do not require the presence of a sworn officer.
The address also covered transit and infrastructure development. Plans are in place to expand microtransit in Norcross and Gateway 85 Community Improvement Districts to improve resident transportation access. Infrastructure plans will feature smart growth strategies that incorporate environmental preservation and affordable housing.
“We’re setting a new standard for smart development that encompasses community input so that we can develop within the character of our existing neighborhoods,” Hendrickson said. Concluding her address, she affirmed, “We are One Gwinnett.”
