ATLANTA – The Atlanta Beltline Initiative says it’s way ahead of its goal to build or preserve more than 5,000 affordable housing units by the year 2030. 

The extreme need for affordable housing in the Atlanta metro area means much more needs to be done. 

“This is Madison Reynoldstown. This particular development has just opened its doors. We expect to move in 30 residents before Thanksgiving. We’re very excited about this development,” said Dennis Richards, vice president of housing and development for Atlanta Beltline. 

He showed FOX 5 one of their newest affordable housing developments, built right next to the Beltline trail in East Atlanta off of Memorial Drive. 

“Back in 2008, during the recession, this was a failed condo project. So, Atlanta Beltline was able to purchase this property. We were able to renovate these units and sell them with first time homebuyer incentives,” Richards said. 

The Beltline has a mandate to create or preserve 5,600 affordable housing units along its trail by the year 2030. 

Richards says they will be at 70% of that goal by the end of this year. 

“This year we had a goal of about 300 units. It’s looking like by the end of this year, we’ll be at about 550 units…and next year, we’ve got another strong pipeline of about 500 units,” Richards said. 

If they keep going at this rate, Richards says they’re predicting they’ll blow that original goal out of the water. 

“I would venture to say north of 7,000, close to 7,500 units, perhaps more,” Richards said. 

However, the city needs every unit it can get. 

According to the Atlanta Beltline, in 2022, Atlanta had a 22,000-unit deficit in its affordable housing supply.

Between 2017 and 2022, the city of Atlanta saw a decrease of 7,000 units of affordable rentals. 

Add to that the fact that the city is expected to continue to grow by leaps and bounds in the coming years. 

“The Atlanta Regional Commission projects two million people will come into the Atlanta metro by 2050. So that is about the equivalent of adding the city of Denver to the Atlanta metro,” Richards said. 

James Marlow, president of the non-profit Southface Institute, says the metro desperately needs more variety in housing as well. 

“Nobody builds starter houses anymore…but we need multifamily, we need more townhouses, we need additional dwelling units, we need duplexes…we need every type of housing innovation,” Marlow said. 

On Friday morning, Marlow held an affordable housing roundtable. 

And with that stark reality in mind, Richards says the Beltline isn’t going to stop and rest on its laurels and will continue with the strategies that have gotten them to this good position. 

“One being our strategic land acquisition strategy, where we’ve acquired around 90 acres of property, where we think we can develop at least 3,000 units across that portfolio,” Richards said. “We also have capital available to developers so that we can put money in those deals to ensure that we get some set aside for affordable housing units.”

Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm unveiled a newly renovated, multi-functional Good Neighbor Club at the C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center in West Atlanta, one of the largest public recreation centers in the Southeast. In addition to Hawks’ Guards, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vit Krejci, on site at the event was Hawks Vice President of Strategic Planning and Alternate Governor Nick Ressler, as well as Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, City Council member Andrea Boone (District 10) and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler to celebrate the opening of the new Good Neighbor Club.

“When the City of Atlanta joins forces with organizations like the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm, great things happen for our residents—specifically for our young people,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “I am thrilled that CT Martin is home to the 11th Good Neighbor Club. CT Martin is not just another Atlanta building—it is a cornerstone of the community and a place where youth can find support, mentoring and opportunities to grow. Now the Hawks and State Farm are helping us take that to the next level.”

The new Good Neighbor Club features a refresh of the teen center which aims to inspire students with new television sets for gaming and programming, new Hawks branded lounge furniture, updated carpeted flooring and ceiling. The center also features a wall with pennants of 24 Historically Black Colleges and Universities including four in Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College and Spelman College.

“We are proud to partner with State Farm to unveil our 11th Good Neighbor Club,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Community Impact and Basketball Programs Jon Babul. “We’re excited to work with our community partners to invest in a space for teens to learn, enhance their club experience and enjoy time with peers in a new home away from home.”

The C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center was selected as the location for the 11th Good Neighbor Club due to its strong ties in the community and dedication to teen programming.

“State Farm and the Atlanta Hawks are dedicated to improving local communities, including helping support the city’s local youth and recreation centers,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Allyson Watts. “Each Good Neighbor Club is unique, and we look forward to sharing this latest addition with local teens.”

The unveiling event featured special activities for teenagers in attendance like a chance to make custom bucket hats, a gaming tournament, a dance lesson and a photobooth. Attendees also enjoyed a surprise visit and giveaways from Hawks entertainment including Harry the Hawk, the ATL Dancers and Flight Crew.

“Thank you to Atlanta Hawks and State Farm for your partnership and the resources that have made this day possible,” said Atlanta City Council member Andrea Boone (District 10). “Your work reveals a commitment to our young people who will benefit immensely from this type of outreach and consideration.”

The Hawks and State Farm have led efforts in multiple community-focused initiatives to better serve Metro Atlanta. The organizations have previously teamed up to open ten Good Neighbor Clubs in locations including: the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA in Southwest Atlanta, the College Park Auditorium, Ron Anderson Recreation Center in Cobb County, N.H. Scott Recreation Center in Decatur, William Walker Recreation Center in Atlanta, Lucky Shoals Park in Gwinnett, Lynwood Park in Brookhaven, Welcome All Park in South Fulton, Coan Park Recreation Center in Atlanta, and Bessie Branham Park in Kirkwood.

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ATLANTA – A fight between two men on Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon left one with a gunshot wound and the other with a stab wound, police said.

Officers responded to a call at approximately 3:22 p.m. at 532 Cleveland Ave. SW regarding reports of a person shot and another stabbed. According to the Atlanta Police Department, authorities found a 23-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his left hand and a 25-year-old man with a stab wound to his left forearm. 

Both men were alert, conscious, and breathing, police said. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Investigators believe the two men were involved in a physical dispute when one of them brandished a firearm, which unintentionally discharged, injuring his own hand. The other man sustained the stab wound during the altercation.

The Atlanta Police Department’s Aggravated Assault Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.