Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, the community, and City partners hosted a grand opening ceremony for 729 Bonaventure on Tuesday, Dec. 3. This milestone in the Housing Office’s Rapid Housing Initiative is pivotal.
Like The Melody, 729 Bonaventure will consist of 23 housing units, 100% of which will be housing for our chronically unsheltered community. Residents will receive critical wraparound support like case management and mental health services.
Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice
Dickens said lives can change in the blink of an eye, and when it happens, he believes it’s a responsibility to help neighbors get back on their feet.
“In September, we, along with the Atlanta city council, passed the single largest investment in addressing homelessness in Atlanta’s history through a $50 million homeless opportunity bond, and today is one of the first of many deliveries on that commitment,” he said. “I’m so excited to be cutting the ribbon on our newest permanent supportive housing project here at 729 Bonaventure.”
Last year, Dickens announced the goal of building 500 units of “quick delivery, high quality, rapid housing for the unsheltered population.” By the end of 2025, Dickens and his administration will have 500, and they have now added 23 more units towards this ambitious promise.
“100% of these units will be housed for our chronically unsheltered community,” he said. “Those earning less than 30% of the area median income, less than 30% residents will receive critical wraparound services like case management and mental health services.”
Dickens also said the studio units, including refrigerators, cooktops, and washer and dryer combos, come fully furnished. The location is also only two blocks away from Ponce City Market and the east side trail of the Beltline.
Additionally, Dickens said they expect to welcome their new residents into the building by Christmas.
“When they arrive, they will have access to all the services, all the support and neighborhood amenities they would need to thrive,” he said. “Our team is taking every available opportunity to create affordable housing in any corner of this city that we can find and make happen, especially for our most vulnerable residents.”
Dickens says they’re just getting started, as he has plans to host two more groundbreakings this month.
CEO of Partners for Home Cathryn Vassell said nothing is more gratifying than offering a housing solution to someone coming out of homelessness.
“We firmly stand on the belief that homelessness is a housing problem, but it’s incredibly exciting to be here today in front of these 23 units,” she said. “I am confident every one of us would love to live in and love to call home.”