ATLANTA - In partnership with the Decatur Housing Authority, Columbia Residential will develop 80 housing units for seniors after it purchased two parcels of land near the Avondale rail station on the Blue Line from the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
The residential will build affordable and mixed-income housing units for older populations due to a shortage of senior housing in parts of the city. Totaling 1.45 acres, the parcels of land are the final two components of the master transit-oriented development (TOD).
“Older populations face numerous housing challenges, especially those related to affordability, physical accessibility, and access to medical care inside and outside the home,” said Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett. “To have affordable housing with direct access to transit and the greater MARTA system is an incredible advantage for our senior residents and greatly improves quality of life opportunities to connect with others and to needed services.”
By offering affordable housing next to transit stations, seniors will have more freedom and flexibility, especially in terms of physical accessibility and access to medical care. The city hopes that the new housing area will improve the quality of life opportunities for senior residents.
The City of Decatur, Decatur Housing Authority and DeKalb County provided the financial support for the new development. This development adds to the 92 affordable senior housing units that the city built in 2018. The financial support enables residents at a range of incomes below 80 percent of area median income to buy a house. In addition to that, direct access to Avondale Station is available for the 80 additional 1- and 2-bedroom units and amenities.
MARTA currently has 1,500 affordable housing units. They are either completed, under construction, in negotiation, or in procurement/planning throughout its system.