By Audrea N. Rease, Executive Director, Star-C Programs
What does it take to transform a long-vacant site in Southwest Atlanta into 448 high-quality affordable homes? For The Flats & The Villas at Stone Hogan, it took collaboration, commitment, partnership and perseverance.
The communities were made possible through the leadership and partnership of Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta, Zimmerman Properties & Construction, Wilhoit Properties, Summit Contracting Group, Bank of America and many other stakeholders.
The Villas at Stone Hogan, a $66.8 million investment, provides 192 affordable homes for adults 55 and older. The Flats at Stone Hogan, a $97.8 million investment, provides 256 affordable family homes. Both are Low-Income Housing Tax Credit communities, where a two-bedroom apartment can lease for approximately $1,100 per month.
I call Stone Hogan “Class A communities without the Class A price.” Located beside I-285 and just miles from Hartsfield-Jackson airport, upgraded construction materials create remarkably quiet homes. Amenities include fitness and wellness spaces, a community garden, business center, early learning center and playground.
The partners navigated significant topographical challenges and a major redesign to mitigate dramatic pandemic-era cost increases. However, both communities were completed a year ahead of schedule and on budget, and are expected to be fully leased by year-end.
Great housing is just the beginning. Stone Hogan embodies Atlanta Housing’s Resident Renaissance, pairing quality affordable housing with resources that create pathways to opportunity and economic mobility. Starting in January, Star-C will provide free wraparound services, including after-school and summer camp, wellness initiatives, food-security programs and more.
Congratulations to all the public, private and community partners whose collaboration made this extraordinary investment possible!
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The Flats and Villas at Stone Hogan is an excellent example of teamwork to overcome the many obstacles to deliver affordable housing. The deal took over 6 years and stumbled through interest rate increases, wood/material increases, import taxes, changes in HUD regulations, site challenges and political challenges, but the team push through all of these and now we have a beautiful affordable community for 448 families AND Star-C wrap around resident services such as a free after-school program, summer camp, wellness and other services to braid the community together. Congratulations to the team for persevering!!!