It might be difficult to put a dollar figure on the benefits of having police officers living in the community they serve. But officials in Johns Creek believe it is worth a premium.

The new city faces a major obstacle in enticing members of its fledgling police department to live within city boundaries: How can anyone afford to live in pricey Johns Creek on the salary of a law enforcement officer?

The simple answer: not many.

So Johns Creek officials are taking the unusual step of putting up extra cash for housing expenses for police living in the municipality. The allowance would average around $600 a month.

Carlton Stallings, president of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police, said he believes it's the first time housing subsidies have been offered to police in Georgia, and maybe the region.

"They've done it in a few other places, but this is the first time in the South that I've heard of," Stallings said. "I would think it would be a good thing. Traditionally, police officers' salaries will not be that high. You could pay them more, but that doesn't guarantee they'll live in your city."

A handful of cities, including Savannah and Miami, offer limited loan programs or downpayment assistance to city employees, according to information provided by the National League of Cities.

A few communities provide affordable housing to public safety personnel or city workers in muncipal-owned property.

Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker said real estate prices make it hard for many to live in the year-old city, known for its manicured lawns, stucco and stacked stone shops, and brick office parks.

"We have a work-force housing problem in Johns Creek by virtue of land prices," Bodker said. "That drives the cost of housing up and the cost of apartments up. Johns Creek is a victim of our success."

The average cost of a single-family house in Johns Creek is about $400,000, said Cleve Gaddis, broker-owner of RE/MAX Around Atlanta in Duluth.

When the police department hits the streets in April, the average salary for a newly minted officer probably will top out at $42,000. A new officer could afford about a $200,000 home, assuming no debts and no down payment, Gaddis said. The stipend would average about $600 a month.

The city just hired its first police chief, to start in December, and has started hiring 56 sworn officers and 13 civilian staffers.

Tracy Edmondson, manager of a Johns Creek computer ink shop, said he believes having police officers in the neighborhoods or apartments is a positive thing but wonders if $600 a month would be enough.

"I'd rather have them living here than farther out," Edmondson said. "I don't think they'll be able to live in the posh neighborhoods unless they're married to a woman of means."

The stipend, which starts in April, will cost the city about $40,000 in the current fiscal year and about $80,000 for a year, City Manager John Kachmar said.

"That's what we can afford," Kachmar said. "If I can do more, I will."

Bodker said there are many reasons to supplement officers' pay so they can live in Johns Creek.

"I think it's considered a recruiting tool to ensure we get the best and the brightest," the mayor said. "Having take-home cars in a neighborhood adds another element of protection by virtue of the cars being visible. And having a certain number of officers who can be readily activated on short notice is never a bad thing."

Stallings said there's another argument for having officers living in town.

"They will have a better understanding of the community and its needs," he said. "That's a big issue in law enforcement."

Many veteran officers probably won't take the offer because they won't want to uproot their families who are established in other communities, Stallings said.

"I can see where a brand new officer right out of the academy might jump at it," he said.

Julian Heap, a 52-year-old medical equipment salesman, said he thinks the plan is a good one.

"Security is the most important thing, without a doubt," Heap said. "Anything they can do to get good officers will create a good community, and that's what matters. But there has to be a balance between the budget and officers' pay."

Johns Creek's sister city of Milton had a similar problem when it started its police department, said interim City Manager Chris Lagerbloom.

Realtor Lauren Holmes estimated Milton's average single-family home costs about $800,000, but there is one on the market that is selling for $190,000.

Because police couldn't afford to move to Milton, the city ended up expanding the radius for take-home cars from the customary 25-mile radius from the city to 35 miles, he said. Lagerbloom said that allowed him to accommodate more and better officers.

"They could never live in Milton," Holmes said. "It's sad, but it's true."