This month marked a major milestone for the City of Atlanta and its ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing and revitalize historically underserved communities. City leaders, developers, partners, and residents gathered to break ground on Phase 1 of the highly anticipated redevelopment of the former Bowen Homes siteโa powerful step toward creating a brighter, more equitable future for Northwest Atlanta.
โSixteen years ago, Bowen Homesโthe last of Atlantaโs major family housing projectsโwas demolished. Since then, this land has been waiting for a new purpose,โ said Mayor Andre Dickens. โToday, that purpose begins.โ
The ceremony celebrated the beginning of a comprehensive, multi-phase redevelopment that will ultimately transform the 74-acre site into a thriving, inclusive community featuring over 2,000 new homes, green spaces, community amenities, and critical infrastructure improvements. Phase 1 alone represents an investment of more than $63 million to construct 151 mixed-income housing units.
Of those 151 homes, 48 will be โdeeply affordable,โ reserved for families earning 30% or less of the area median income (AMI). An additional 49 units will be set aside for families earning up to 60% of AMI, with 10 homes dedicated to workforce housing.
โThis redevelopment is not just about housingโit’s about healing, hope, and opportunity,โ said the Mayor. โWe are delivering on our promise to invest in affordable housing, uplift our communities, and create opportunities for every Atlantan.โ
The project is a product of strong collaboration among public and private stakeholders, including Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Benoit Group, McCormack Baron Salazar, and the Bowen Resident Advisory Council.
A key component of the redevelopment is a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant awarded by HUD in July 2023, supporting the revitalization of the Bowen Choice Neighborhood area. Additional funding includes $29.6 million in tax-exempt bond financing through Invest Atlanta and a commitment of $10 million from the Cityโs Affordable Housing Trust Fund over the next eight years.
Atlanta City Council members also played a pivotal role in advancing the legislation and funding necessary to move the project forward. โWithout their partnership and support, we wouldnโt be here today,โ the Mayor acknowledged.
Beyond housing, the redevelopment is set to catalyze economic growth, drive infrastructure improvements, and strengthen community ties. By reconnecting Bowen Homes to neighboring areas like Brookview Heights and Carey Park, the project aims to foster a more connected and vibrant Northwest Atlanta.
The redevelopment is also expected to attract further public and private investment along key corridors like Hollowell Parkway and James Jackson Parkwayโbolstering local economies and creating lasting opportunities for the community.
The Bowen Homes redevelopment aligns with the Cityโs broader affordable housing goal of creating or preserving 20,000 affordable units by 2030. So far, Atlanta has delivered nearly 6,500 units, with another 4,721 under construction or funded.
โTogether, we are building a city of opportunity for all,โ the Mayor said in closing. โThis is Atlantaโs group project in actionโand I couldnโt be more excited for the transformation to come.โ