Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Acquires 6.3-Acre Chappell Road Site in Collaboration with City of Refuge to Create Affordable Housing

$4M Purchase Lays the Foundation for Multifamily Residential Development Near Future Westside Trail

ATLANTA (June 12, 2023) – Atlanta Beltline, Inc. has purchased a 6.3-acre site at 350 Chappell Road, NW, in the city’s Grove Park and Historic Westin Heights neighborhoods. In cooperation with Atlanta nonprofit City of Refuge, which serves communities in greatest need on the city’s Westside, this collaboration will lead to the development of affordable multifamily homes near the future Westside Trail – Segment 4 and near Atlanta Beltline’s largest planned site in support of affordable housing, the 31+ acre site at 425 Chappell Road, NW.

The $4 million transaction reflects another milestone in the Beltline’s overarching strategy of controlling land to create long-term affordable housing and commercial options around the corridor. Collaborations like these allow for thoughtful development that includes affordable housing, creates jobs, and supports the growth of small businesses. To date, the Beltline has invested $43 million in more than 72 acres across six sites.

“This is one more meaningful step in the Atlanta Beltline’s goal to create affordable housing around the corridor, allowing people to have access to greenspace and walkable amenities, creating whole communities where ultimately we hope people can access jobs and services within walking distance of where they live, without the need for a car,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “Through this collaboration with City of Refuge, we are making sure all Atlantans will have affordable living options as part of our comprehensive plan for affordability.”

The property, once the site of an apartment complex that fell into disrepair, is also near the recently opened Westside Park, the city’s newest and largest green space located near the Beltline’s 31+-acre site at 425 Chappell Road, NW, a land acquisition that represents the Beltline’s largest transactions to date in support of affordable housing in partnership with the City of Atlanta. That site is currently being master planned.

“Our mission is to ensure that people in one of Atlanta’s most historic and struggling neighborhoods, where nearly 40 percent of residents live below the Federal Poverty Level, are not left behind when it comes to equitable resources, like affordable housing. We seek to lead individuals and families on an uninterrupted journey to self-sufficiency. Our collaboration with Atlanta Beltline puts the pieces in place to provide new housing options to people who need and deserve fair access to safe and affordable places to live,” said Bruce Deel, CEO City of Refuge, Inc.

City of Refuge delivers critical resources, including food, job training and housing to underserved residents and plans to pursue affordable housing development on the site through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, serving low-income residents. The program has become the state’s most successful affordable rental housing production program and serves households with incomes between 20 percent and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).