By: Lexi Awotwi, Asset Manager, and Tamia Sammons, Associate

At Columbia Residential, our passion for quality affordable housing runs deep, fueled by a vision for transformative community impact. Our founder, Noel Khalil, established Columbia Residential with a heartfelt mission to “build cathedrals for God’s children.” This commitment goes beyond just construction—it’s about preserving these beautiful homes—our “cathedrals”—for our residents for generations to come. We believe everyone deserves a place they can call home, and we’re dedicated to making that vision a reality.

Preserving affordable housing is a core focus of Columbia Residential. With a portfolio of 23 properties built before 2010, we recognize that, over time, buildings age, systems become outdated, and amenities show signs of wear. That’s why we’re committed not only to developing new properties but also to modernizing and maintaining our older, legacy properties. This commitment ensures that our residents have access to stable, affordable housing well beyond the initial 15-year federal compliance period.

One example of that commitment is Columbia High Point Senior Residences. Built in 2002, High Point is one of the oldest properties in the Columbia Residential portfolio, housing seniors 62 years and older. Located on the southeast side of Atlanta near Louise Watley Library, Arthur Langford Jr. Park, and Atlanta Beltline Southeast Trail, the property provides an ideal environment for seniors to thrive and allows them to age in place. This property not only provides a quality, affordable home but also connects residents to vital services and vibrant community spaces.

This project highlights the impact of public-private partnerships in making meaningful improvements to affordable housing. Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Atlanta Housing, we can offer Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) for 100% of the 96 units, serving residents with incomes at or below 50–60% AMI. With the help of Enterprise Community Partners, Columbia Residential was able to access Capital Magnet Funds and use $1.2 million to make necessary capital improvements to preserve High Point Senior.

Trinity Construction was selected as the general contractor for this project, advising on essential repairs to preserve the property for years to come. The scope of work included roof replacement, exterior stucco repairs, HVAC updates, new flooring and paint in the corridors, and a full amenity refresh with new kitchen cabinets, countertops, movie theater furniture, and salon improvements. Trinity Construction also enhanced the landscaping and patio areas, creating inviting outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy.

Additionally, Trinity Construction renovated 10 vacant units and completed “soft” renovations, updating kitchens and bathrooms for some residents without displacement. These upgrades included new LVP flooring, fresh paint, ENERGY STAR® appliances, LED lighting, updated cabinets, countertops, and new fixtures like door handles and shower heads. The results of this work exceeded expectations, improving the condition of the building and providing 96 senior residents with newly renovated spaces that foster a greater sense of community.

Preservation can present challenges, particularly due to limited resources, but it also offers significant social benefits to the residents and the community. Columbia Residential is committed to advancing lives and strengthening neighborhoods through both building and maintaining quality affordable housing in Georgia, as well as the communities we serve across Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. We are also dedicated to supporting the Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ goal of 20,000 affordable units by 2030—and the preservation of existing affordable housing properties in our portfolio is a key contributor to that success.