Atlanta Habitat has been helping local families build their own legacies through affordable homeownership since 1983. The family of Edward Johnson, a Tuskegee Airman and World War II veteran, had the same goal in mind when the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation purchased their two houses and undeveloped plot of land in 2018.

The Georgia Trust then donated the vacant lot to Atlanta Habitat as part of its West Atlanta Preservation Initiative. The property will become part of the lot selection in Atlanta Habitat’s first-time homeownership program in the near future. The property is located in Southwest Atlanta’s historic Washington Park neighborhood, where Johnson was a longtime resident.

“The Georgia Trust Board of Trustees is pleased to have this partnership with Atlanta Habitat, which enables us to create an additional affordable house that strengthens the sense of community in the Washington Park Historic District,” says Georgia Trust President/CEO Mark C. McDonald.

The Johnson Family (photo via 11 Alive)

Johnson served as a ground school instructor with the Tuskegee Airmen and went on to become Atlanta’s first African American licensed master electrician.

“As we continue to help senior and military veterans live comfortably in their homes and empower new families through affordable homeownership, Atlanta Habitat is honored to partner with Georgia Preservation and grateful for the opportunity to create a legacy of affordable homeownership. We hope there will be more opportunities to impact the community together,” says Atlanta Habitat President/CEO Lisa Y. Gordon.

Thanks to the Georgia Trust and Johnson family, the Atlanta Habitat homebuyer who selects this lot will not only be building on land with a rich history, but will also be able to create a strong foundation for their own family legacy. Click here to learn more about the properties.