Community leaders, elected officials, and housing advocates gathered on June 18 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Phase Two of the Village at Legacy, marking a historic milestone in affordable housing for Decatur and DeKalb County.
Hosted by the Decatur Housing Authority, the ceremony spotlighted the first ground-up affordable housing development for Decatur families in decades. With 66 units already completed in Phase One and 66 more coming in Phase Two, the 132-unit project is designed to serve families earning between 30 percent and 80 percent of the area median income.
“This is a celebration, yes, but it must also be a call to action,” said Larry Padilla, CEO and Executive Director of the Decatur Housing Authority. “We cannot stop at one project. We cannot pat ourselves on the back for building these 132 units if we’re not also committed each and every day, at every level, to supporting more housing for working families.”
The Village at Legacy is part of the broader Legacy Park redevelopment and offers residents access to greenspace, trails, playgrounds, and MARTA — emphasizing both quality of life and accessibility.
“This was another key piece of that master plan that we never envisioned would happen in less than 10 years,” said Mayor Patti Garrett of the City of Decatur, reflecting on the city’s bold investment in the 77-acre former United Methodist Children’s Home property.
The event also highlighted the broader affordable housing challenges facing the region and the role of public policy and community partnerships in addressing them.
“Housing has become so unaffordable,” said Congressman Hank Johnson. “Senator Alsop has done work which has highlighted the fact that 30 percent of the single-family homes in Atlanta, in the Atlanta metropolitan area, are owned by private equity firms. 30 percent. And that 30% overall is a figure, but in some neighborhoods, 99 percent of the homes, of the single-family homes, are owned by private equity firms.”
DeKalb County leaders reaffirmed their commitment to driving long-term, systemic solutions for affordable housing.
“It is time that across America we truly begin to focus on affordable housing solutions,” said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “Because in America, equity looks like access.”
The development is backed by a public-private partnership that includes the City of Decatur, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Bank of America, Hudson Housing Capital, and several mission-driven investment partners. When completed, the Village at Legacy will serve as a national model for inclusive growth, dignified living, and community-centered development.
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