When you think of the Atlanta Beltline, your mind may immediately think of large-scale developments and live, work, play complexes, but the there’s something else the development entity would like to be known for: affordable housing.

The Beltline recently outlined how it has tackled the city’s affordable housing crunch and signaled some much-needed wins in that regard.

The Beltline Adds 569 Affordable Housing Units

To date, the Beltline expects to surpass its housing goals in 2025 and is on course to exceed 2030 housing targets, according to a news release. In 2024, the Beltline delivered 569 affordable housing units, nearly 90% above its annual goal of 300 units.

With this achievement, the Beltline has reached 74% of its target to create or preserve 5,600 affordable housing units by 2030 in the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD). This is a key milestone that also contributes to helping Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens achieve his citywide goal of building or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.

“We’re hitting our stride in making equitable development a reality,” said Clyde Higgs, President & CEO at Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “By leveraging strong partnerships, long-term land planning and innovative funding strategies, we’re on track not only to meet but likely exceed our 2030 goals. This work goes beyond numbers; it’s about creating opportunities for Atlantans to live, thrive and build generational wealth within Beltline communities.”

Key Milestones in 2024
This year’s housing wins were driven by the Beltline’s collaborative approach with partners such as Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Housing, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Development Authority of Fulton County, the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation, and others, comprehensive planning and diversified funding. Notable projects include:

  • Englewood Senior Housing: The Beltline provided $2 million from the TAD Increment Fund to support 160 units of affordable rental senior housing.
  • Englewood Multifamily Housing: The Beltline supported 160 affordable multifamily units, with a $3 million grant from the TAD Increment Fund.
  • Residences at Chosewood Park: Construction began on 90 affordable housing units with a $2 million TAD Increment Fund Grant.
  • Stanton Park Apartments: Fifty-six affordable units opened in Peoplestown with $2 million from the Atlanta Beltline Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
  • 579 Garson Drive Development: This project won competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for a new affordable housing project to enable a 130-unit, mixed-use project in the South Buckhead/Lindbergh community on Beltline-owned land.
  • 350 Chappell Road: The 6.30-acre site received LIHTC approval, allowing the 218-unit affordable housing project (30-80% AMI) to break ground in 2026.
  • Oakland City Neighborhood: The Beltline provided $2 million via the TAD Increment Fund for the development of 41 permanently affordable homeownership opportunities in the Oakland City neighborhood.
  • Mall West End Acquisition: The Beltline helped fund the acquisition of the 12-acre parcel – slated for a mixed-use affordable community – with $5 million in Beltline TAD Funds.

Land Planning and Preservation
The Beltline’s land acquisition strategy continues to ensure the long-term affordability and equitable development of housing and commercial spaces. Noteworthy updates include:

  • 356 University Avenue: Adjacent to Pittsburgh Yards, community engagement and master planning efforts are underway for this 14-acre site. With these efforts, the Beltline is currently in the planning phase and incorporating community feedback to shape the future of the site. The Beltline will rezone this site to I-Mix in 2025, allowing a mixed-use project to take shape.
  • Murphy Crossing: The 20+ acre site adjacent to the Westside Trail continues to move forward with a community-driven process to continue master planning and entitling this site along with other pre-development activities. The Murphy Crossing site will be rezoned to I-Mix in 2025.
  • 579 Garson Drive: Rezoning has been approved by the Atlanta City Council, paving the way for mixed-use affordable projects. It will bring 130-units of affordable housing and approximately 10,000 square feet of affordable commercial space to the South Buckhead/Lindbergh neighborhood. The project is currently in the design phase and is expected to break ground in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • 425 Chappell: This 30+ acre site completed a Development of Regional Impact submission to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, required for large-scale developments that are likely to have regional effects beyond the local government jurisdiction in which they are located. This site has received rezoning approval from Atlanta City Council. Predevelopment activities for the first five blocks of development are underway, which will include approximately 150-units of for-sale housing and approximately 5,000 square feet of affordable commercial space.

The Beltline now has acquired 87 acres of land for development, solidifying its capacity to deliver transformative projects tailored to community needs by controlling land around the trail. With Beltline-owned land, the Beltline is guiding equitable, inclusive and sustainable development to ensure affordable housing goals are met and exceeded for Atlanta’s residents and small businesses.

Property Tax Relief for Long-time Homeowners
The Beltline also remains committed to preserving housing affordability for long-time Atlantans. The Legacy Resident Retention Program (LRRP) has provided property tax relief to 250 homeowners in the Beltline’s neighborhood stabilization areas along the western and southern Beltline corridor. It empowers low-income residents to stay in the communities they love, build generational wealth, and enjoy financial stability by covering the increase in property taxes above 2019 levels.

Final Word

Atlanta has one of the best real estate markets in the country, with affordable housing in every quadrant of the city. Large backyards, manicured parcels and strong neighborhoods with ample dining amenities make it one of the top places for transplants.

Not to mention that the city’s dining scene is the best in the Southeast. Looking for a home? Check out our Real Estate Resource Page.

Keep up with what’s going on in Atlanta’s real estate scene here with our Apartment Guide.

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