Historic Investment
As more people move to Atlanta and development is constantly growing, the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (ABI) has invested more than $550,000 in the Ralph David House, an adaptive-reuse development converting a motel into 54 apartments in the Reynoldstown community. This is ABI’s first time investing in a project with all permanently supportive housing units.
ABI is a 22-mile open and planned loop of multi-use trail and light rail transit system on a former railway corridor around the core of Atlanta. The public project connects 45 neighborhoods torn apart due to highway construction.
ABI VP of Housing Dennis Richards Jr. said people have pitched to ABI to fund smaller permanent housing units, but this is the first proposal that helps ABI meet its goal of investing in 5,600 units of affordable housing. The Beltline is almost 60 percent of the way toward its goal.
“We’re looking for housing options for everyone,” said Richards Jr. “It’s a basic human right.”
For Richards Jr., this project is righting some wrongs from the city’s past.
The Ralph David House development is being led by Stryant Investments.
According to a press release, apartments will be reserved for those earning 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or less and who were previously unhoused. The rent and utility costs combined will be capped at 30 percent of each tenant’s income.
Additional funding is being provided by the BeltLine’s TAD Increment Fund, managed by Invest Atlanta. The project has received funding from the Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund, City of Atlanta HOME funds, and support from Partners for HOME’s HomeFirst program, which also provided Housing Choice Vouchers from Atlanta Housing and supportive services for individuals who will be housed in the units.
Partners for Home is the primary funder and currently has over 660 permanently supportive housing units in its portfolio with about 50 located on the BeltLine.
The project is being designed by Terminus Design Group which plans to include a social worker office onsite.
Ralph David House apartments are expected to open in the fall of 2024 and are located where Moreland Avenue meets I-20.