Augusta, GA
Ground could break soon for Augusta’s first tiny home community
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The community of tiny homes is continuing to push forward.
Augusta leaders approved the project a couple of months ago, and we could soon see shovels in the ground this year.
“They wanted to bring people in and activate the space. For them, that meant creating functions where people could gather,” said Joy Newberry with McMillan Pazdan Smith.
Bridge Builder Communities is working with McMillan Pazdan Smith to plan and design a tiny home village on Merry Street.
Jackson Drumgoole, Executive Director of Bridge Builder Communities, said: “There are 11,000 young adults in the child protective services in the state of Georgia with hundreds aging out year after year. We want to make sure that these young adults are able to transition successfully into adulthood and move into independence.”
The faces behind the ideas of what this project should look like are from 13 McMillan Pazdan Smith interns located at different studios they have in the southeast.
“It wasn’t just about design,” said Kamand Taherkhani, intern with McMillan Pazdan Smith. “It was truly meaningful and I’m just glad to be a small part of this project.”
Last summer interns focused on the design of tiny homes. Now they’re working on what the community building will look like.
“This community building that we specifically worked on drew in the residents of this place and made it feel like it’s your back porch and that you’re gathering and creating that quality time with your neighbor and your people,” said Caylin Breakfield, intern with McMillan Pazdan Smith.
Newberry is a foster parent herself and says getting the interns involved really makes a difference because they’re helping people the same age as them.
“They were able to come in and say what are the services that I would need,” said Newberry. “What would I like to see if I were experiencing this at some time in my life and bring in an insight we might be missing.”
The goal now is to choose the best ideas from all of the interns and create an updated plan for community building.
They hope to have the tiny homes completed next summer.
To learn more or to donate, visit Bridge Builder Communities’ website.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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