Making Waves in Affordable Housing

There is more big news on the housing front around the Atlanta BeltLine! As part of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s (ABI) equity and inclusion strategy, we are proactively investing in parts of the corridor that are new or yet-to-come, securing affordability ahead of other potential private development. This forward-thinking commitment of millions of dollars supports ABI’s mission of building an Atlanta BeltLine that provides opportunities across all income-levels and demographics.

To that end, the Invest Atlanta and Atlanta BeltLine Boards officially approved two multi-million dollar grants from the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund (BAHTF) for a total of 252 new housing units, all of which will be classified as affordable units. The units are spread over two developments taking shape on new or forthcoming sections of the Atlanta BeltLine.

One development sits on the Southside Trail, a 4-mile corridor that will connect the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail with the Westside Trail. This development, 55 Milton located in Peoplestown, contains 136 affordable units for families earning 40, 60, and 80 percent of area median income (AMI.) The BAHTF contributed $2 million to this development.

Securing affordability on the future Southside Trail corridor will be a top priority for the Atlanta BeltLine. Photo: John Becker.
Securing affordability on the future Southside Trail corridor will be a top priority for the Atlanta BeltLine. Photo: John Becker.

The future Southside Trail runs through Ormewood Park, Grant Park, Boulevard Heights, Chosewood Park, Peoplestown, Pittsburgh, and Capitol View, among other neighborhoods, joining the east and west corridors for 10 miles of contiguous Atlanta BeltLine trail. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s (ABI) investment at 55 Milton represents an effort to proactively secure affordability before trail construction. These units join other affordable units on the south side of Atlanta built with funds contributed by the BAHTF, including Adair Court, Stanton Oaks, and Trestletree Village.

Earlier this year, ground was broken on Adair Court, which will provide 77 units of affordable senior living. Photo: The Sintoses
Earlier this year, ground was broken on Adair Court, which will provide 77 units of affordable senior living. Photo: The Sintoses

The other development, Madison Reynoldstown, joins the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing as the second phase of the affordable-living development on the Eastside Trail’s newest extension to Memorial Drive. Another $2 million grant from the BAHTF will support this 116-unit development, with 78 units reserved for families earning 60 of AMI or below. Other affordable developments on the east side of Atlanta include the development of Reynoldstown Senior and the Edge, both of which are direct results of ABI’s efforts to preserve affordability on the expanding Eastside Trail. 

Reynoldstown Senior is one of several affordable housing developments on the Eastside Trail's southern extension. Photo: The Sintoses.
Reynoldstown Senior is one of several affordable housing developments on the Eastside Trail’s southern extension. Photo: The Sintoses.
The Edge is a development in which ABI negotiated affordability for the sale of land. Photo: The Sintoses.
The Edge is a development in which ABI negotiated affordability for the sale of land. Photo: The Sintoses.

The Atlanta BeltLine and its partners make more progress each day on affordability, equity, and inclusion, guided by the Affordable Housing Working Group’s Final Report. The Group was convened by ABI to support the development of a comprehensive housing strategy around the Atlanta BeltLine. To learn more about ABI’s housing strategy, read the report in full at beltline.org/affordable-housing.

Cover of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.'s Affordable Housing Working Group Final Report
Cover of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s Affordable Housing Working Group Final Report

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