Atlanta Habitat builds first homes in Fairburn

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, one of Atlanta’s leading affordable homebuilders, is now building in Fairburn, Georgia. Atlanta Habitat will build two houses in 2021 as part of Atlanta Habitat’s major expansion to South Fulton.

First-time homebuyer Denisha was born and raised in Fairburn and until recently lived in Atlanta. “I’m excited to be coming back here,” says Denisha. “It’s quiet, and I have friendly neighbors. I’m big on peace, and that’s exactly what it’s been like in this community.”

Supreme Lending, a dedicated Atlanta Habitat partner and one of the top mortgage lenders in the nation, sponsored Denisha’s new home, thus making the home affordable. Denisha will pay a monthly mortgage at zero interest for 30 years to Atlanta Habitat. In addition, she is completing 250 hours of sweat equity and homeowner education classes, and she works full-time to qualify for Atlanta Habitat’s first-time home purchase program.

In addition to its affordable homebuyer program for income-qualified families, Atlanta Habitat will offer its neighborhood revitalization services in South Fulton that include:

• Repair with Kindness – critical home repair services to longstanding homeowners
• Brush with Kindness – exterior home painting and minor repairs to current Atlanta Habitat homeowners and their neighbors
• My Money. My Future.— comprehensive, year-long financial literacy coaching for aspiring homeowners to manage their finances and set goals

Atlanta Habitat’s expansion to South Fulton communities is the largest in the organization’s 38-history. It plans to serve nearly 1,200 additional families across Atlanta, East Point, Fairburn and South Fulton now through 2025.

“Atlanta Habitat is focused on meeting the need for affordable homeownership and creating thriving communities in South Fulton,” says Atlanta Habitat President and CEO Lisa Y. Gordon. “Fairburn really is a ‘city situated to succeed’ as its city motto states. The city is experiencing strong population growth. Atlanta Habitat is now part of that growth by helping families to achieve intergenerational wealth through affordable homeownership and partnering with current homeowners in the neighborhoods where we build, repair and rehab homes.”

Atlanta Habitat has achieved unprecedented growth, 252 percent as of 2019, in the number of families it serves. The organization served 50 new families in 2016 to now more than 150 every year, with a record-breaking 208 in 2019. Over the last 38 years, Atlanta Habitat has served just over 1,000 families (6,000 family members) or roughly 30-40 new families a year.  It has made an estimated $40 million impact on affordable housing in neighborhoods across Atlanta over the last five years.

“We are elated that Fairburn has been chosen as one of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s cities to rebuild in South Fulton. Affordable homes are drastically needed by our citizens, and the building of two homes in Fairburn is just a step toward our goal of achieving affordable housing,” says Fairburn Mayor Elizabeth Carr-Hurst.

In 2011, at Habitat for Humanity International’s request and with the support of the surrounding affiliates, Atlanta Habitat absorbed the South Fulton Habitat affiliate. As a result, 30 south Fulton homeowners became a part of the Atlanta Habitat family.

Atlanta Habitat’s decision to expand its service area comes from data (2016 market study) collected from participants in Atlanta Habitat homebuyer information sessions. Nearly 30 percent of attendees at monthly information sessions rent homes in South Fulton County. Approximately 80,000 service workers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport present an untapped market for affordable homeownership opportunities.