Westside Future Fund hosted the groundbreaking of a new affordable housing project. It was attended by Atlanta city leaders, community partners, and residents. The project aims to help preserve the neighborhood by providing permanently affordable housing.
Westside Future Fund Breaks Ground on New Affordable Housing Project
Westside Future Fund (WFF) held a groundbreaking ceremony on August 17 for a new affordable housing development in Vine City. The organization hosted the event along with Atlanta leaders and community partners at 280 James P. Brawley. The project marks the organization’s first new-construction development in Vine City.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivered remarks during the ceremony. Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos and Westside Future Fund President and CEO John Ahmann also spoke at the event.
“Vine City is the last place Dr. King lived with his family. The land at 280 James P. Brawley is emblematic of the decades of disinvestment this historic area has endured. After sitting vacant and blighted for years, today it enters a new chapter,” said John Ahmann.
The multi-story development will include 18 affordable homes for households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income. It will focus on neighborhood families and educators connected to Hollis Innovation Academy. This will be done through WFF’s Home on the Westside program.
Ahmann noted that Vine City was the last neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived with his family. He said, “Through our commitment to restoration without displacement, this site will now provide high quality, permanently affordable housing ensuring that residents with deep roots here can stay and help build a community Dr. King would be proud to call home.” He added that it would now be turned into affordable homes to help longtime residents stay in the community.
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Project Details
The project aims to help preserve the neighborhood by providing permanently affordable housing. The site is near schools, parks, and amenities to create a healthy and connected neighborhood. Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026 and finish in the second quarter of 2027.
The $6.7 million development is funded through corporate, philanthropic, and public investments. This includes $1 million from the Westside Tax Allocation District. Atlanta-based Kronberg Urbanists + Architects designed the project, while BlackOak is serving as the developer.
The new development will add 18 affordable homes to Vine City while helping longtime residents. The project will support Westside Future Fund’s efforts to preserve the community and promote affordable housing.
