Atlanta opens third rapid housing project at Waterworks site
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Waterworks Village features two buildings that have a total of 100 studio units. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios
The city of Atlanta cut the ribbon Wednesday on 100 units that will provide permanent housing to residents in need of shelter.
Why it matters: Waterworks Village, set back from 17th Street between Northside Drive and Howell Mill Road west of Atlantic Station, is the third rapid housing development Atlanta has opened in nearly two years.
The latest: The two buildings, both of which are three stories, include 100 units, a laundry room and dining area, office space and conference rooms.
- The studio-style units have one twin bed, a bathroom, one refrigerator and storage space.
What they're saying: Mayor Andre Dickens said Waterworks is a "reflection of the bold steps we are taking to address homelessness across Atlanta."
- He also said Waterworks Village, which was constructed on unused land owned by the Department of Watershed Management, is the first modular multifamily development to open in the city.
- "A thriving Atlanta is an inclusive Atlanta when we create pathways out of homelessness, we strengthen our workforce, our local economy and Atlanta's shared future," said Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta CEO, a partner in the development.
Catch up quick: Atlanta's first rapid housing development, The Melody, opened in January 2024 and features 40 converted shipping containers on city-owned property on Forsyth Street near the Garnett MARTA station in South Downtown.
- The second project, 729 Bonaventure, includes 23 units in a renovated building that dates back to the 1900s.
Zoom in: Thirty of the Waterworks units will be dedicated to people receiving on-site medical and mental health care offered through Project HEAL (Homeless Empowerment through Accessible Living).
- The initiative is supported by six area hospitals: Piedmont Hospital, Northside Hospital, Wellstar Health System, Grady Health System, Emory Healthcare and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
- The program also works to ensure that people being discharged from hospitals are directed to a bed instead of being released into the street, Klementich said.
Threat level: Atlanta's ongoing development of units for unhoused people comes as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to end financial support for permanent supportive housing.
- This shift is also unfolding in the thick of Dickens' goal to build 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.
- The mayor, who said about 12,000 of those units are already built or under construction, said the city faces a 30% drop in federal funding due to HUD's decision.
- "So now we have to either convince the federal government that this is of good use and that people need to have housing in this country or convince the state to help us to be able to do that, or continue to convince our philanthropy partners to donate more money to do this work," Dickens said.
What's next: Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME, the nonprofit that helps manage the city's strategy to reduce homelessness, said people will be able to move into Waterworks Village in a couple of weeks.