Episode Summary Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell calls homeownership the most important issue facing the country, and he believes it will be solved city by city, not in Washington. Host Deborah Morton talks with the mayor, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission, about how homeownership built the American middle class, why today's young adults are being locked out, and how Woodstock has grown its economy while cutting property taxes and protecting seniors.

In This Episode

Homeownership as a National Security Issue Caldwell traces the middle class back to the largest public-private partnership in American history: the GI Bill, subsidized mortgage rates, state tax law that rewarded ownership and local zoning that favored owned inventory. Today's young adults earn more than their parents did yet are poorer, and National Association of Realtors data shows the typical first-time buyer reached age 40 in 2025, a record. Caldwell says that reflects necessity, not preference.

Metro Atlanta's Housing Math The region expects roughly 2 million new residents by 2050. The core five counties face a deficit of about 350,000 housing units, and the roughly 15,000 units added last year were all apartments, which does nothing to expand fee simple homeownership.

Meet the Mayor Caldwell has called Cherokee County home since first grade and earned his finance degree from Kennesaw State University. He was part of the founding team of a safety equipment company acquired by 3M, co-owns a software company, served eight years in the Georgia House of Representatives and is now in his fifth year as mayor.

Woodstock's Growth Story Woodstock has grown about tenfold within the same footprint to roughly 43,000 residents. Business revenues nearly doubled in five years to $5.1 billion, and the city made the largest investment in its history in infrastructure, police, fire and parks while cutting property taxes by 15%. Downtown has more than 40 bars and restaurants within walking distance, and the Greenprints trail network is connecting to the Silver Comet Trail and to cities across the region.

Planning, Partnership and Protecting Seniors Caldwell credits the ARC's Livable Centers Initiative and a city that sticks to its plan. A growth boundary agreement with Cherokee County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston keeps growth in the cities so the county can stay rural. Woodstock also offers a 100% exemption from city property taxes for homeowners 62 and older who have been homesteaded in the city for five years.