$28.4 Million Renovation Preserves and Modernizes 121 Units of Senior Housing in Historic Capitol Gateway Neighborhood

Atlanta, GA – Columbia Residential, in partnership with Atlanta Housing and Invest Atlanta, announced today the closing of financing for the preservation of Columbia Senior at MLK Village. This financing ensures the long-term affordability and revitalization of a beloved 121-unit senior housing community in Atlanta’s historic Capitol Gateway neighborhood.

Originally developed in 2007 in partnership with Ebenezer Building Foundation, Columbia Senior at MLK Village has provided high-quality, affordable homes for seniors 62 and older for nearly two decades. The newly financed $28.4 million preservation effort will rehabilitate the existing community, modernizing homes, upgrading amenities, and extending long-term affordability through federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), rental assistance, and local financing support.

Atlanta Housing has committed 121 HomeFlex vouchers for 20 years, ensuring deep affordability for all residents.

“Preserving high-quality, affordable senior housing in Atlanta’s core neighborhoods is critical to our mission,” said Carmen Chubb, president of Columbia Residential. “This effort not only modernizes a vital community but also honors the legacy of Ebenezer Baptist Church and the many partners who made Columbia Senior at MLK Village possible.”

Renovations will include new energy-efficient HVAC and electrical systems, updated fire and elevator safety systems, high-performance windows, new roofing, upgraded kitchens with ENERGY STAR® appliances, upgraded bathrooms with WaterSense plumbing fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation features meeting the National Green Building Standards. Residents will continue to enjoy robust amenities, including a fitness center, library, community gardens, arts and crafts studio, theater, and gathering spaces.

The Columbia Senior at MLK Village community is considered “very walkable” by Walkscore® with a rating of 71 out of 100. Residents will enjoy nearby conveniences within one mile of the community, including the King Memorial MARTA station, which is less than a mile from the community, providing access to the City of Atlanta and the metro area. A Publix® grocery store, Grady Memorial Hospital, libraries, restaurants, banks, childcare, recreational venues, and more neighborhood amenities are also located in the immediate area. In addition to these locational advantages, residents will be able to take advantage of multiple recreational opportunities, including the nearby Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center and Aquatic Center.

“Atlanta Housing is proud to partner with Columbia Residential to preserve this vital community for seniors,” said Terri M. Lee, Atlanta Housing President and CEO. “This investment allows longtime residents to age in place affordably while benefiting from modern, energy-efficient homes and enhanced quality of life.”
Construction began in August 2025, and completion is expected by December 2026. Residents will benefit from a carefully managed on-site relocation plan, with full affordability and anti-displacement protections in place.

The $28.4 million redevelopment will be funded through a combination of tax-exempt bond financing issued by Invest Atlanta, federal and state LIHTC equity, HUD 223F and 241a loans, Invest Atlanta Housing Opportunity Bonds, and City of Atlanta HOME funding.

The preservation of Columbia Senior at MLK Village reflects Columbia Residential’s long-standing commitment to high-quality, affordable housing, with more than 9,000 apartment homes developed and over 10,000 units currently under management across the Southeast.

Design and construction team:

• Architect: JHP Architecture and Urban Design
• Civil Engineer: Atlas
• General Contractor: Trinity Construction Services, LLC
• Green Building Consultant: SK Collaborative

About Columbia Residential

Founded in 1991 by Noel Khalil, Columbia Residential is an award-winning Atlanta-based developer, owner, and manager of affordable and mixed-income housing. Celebrating its thirty-four-year anniversary in 2025, the company manages 10,000 affordable and mixed-income housing units in Georgia, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee in more than 75 communities by the end of the year. Columbia Residential makes a lasting commitment to each community it plans, builds, and services by providing a continuum of stewardship that powers long-term investments. The company’s unique approach to property management includes an innovative model for resident services, including comprehensive on-site programming along with additional resources provided through strategic partnerships with local entities that foster a strong home life and growth mindset for every resident. For more information, please visit https://columbiares.com

About Atlanta Housing

President and Chief Executive Officer Terri M. Lee leads The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (AH), the largest housing authority in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation. One of 139 Moving to Work (MTW) public housing authorities in America, AH is an industry leader in providing and facilitating affordable housing resources for nearly 27,000 low-income households comprised of approximately 43,000 people, including AH-owned residential communities, tenant-based vouchers, supportive housing, as well as down payment assistance, where innovation leads the approach to making the dream of home ownership attainable for more Atlantans. Programs are funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information, visit AH at atlantahousing.org or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn at @housingatlanta.

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