The first 15 families have moved into The 1300, a 47-unit affordable housing development on Atlanta’s Westside. The new community replaced a deteriorated apartment complex and added critical access to wraparound services provided from nearby nonprofit organization City of Refuge. Working alongside City of Refuge CEO Bruce Deel, Nelson Mullins partner Andy Litvak spoke with SaportaReport to discuss The 1300’s community impact in an article titled “New Westside development adds affordable housing amid supportive services.”

Deel and Litvak shared the three unique elements that helped bring The 1300 to life, all of which nonprofit organizations could seek out and adopt to ensure a successful outcome for their own affordable housing programs. Those three elements included: 1) displacement with dignity, 2) support from the business community and 3) the addition of wraparound services located across the street at City of Refuge. Deel explained that City of Refuge and its partners provided thousands of dollars in support to the roughly 20 households that had been living at The 1300. Now, many of the families are headed back home to enjoy new, beautifully appointed affordable housing units. He also commended Nelson Mullins as one of the nonprofit’s key partners. The firm provided pro bono legal services for every aspect of The 1300’s development, overcoming significant hurdles along the way to ensure its success. Cornerstone to that success is City of Refuge’s dedication to each one of the families living at The 1300. Just across the street, Deel explained, “they also have easy access to healthcare, mental health, vision, dental, childcare, and vocational services.” He emphasized, “these tenants are all getting more than just a roof above their heads.”

Moreover, Litvak added that the affordability-focused mixed-use development could spur more development activity in the area. “Retail follows rooftops,” he said. “If you can plant the seeds and grow the roots, the community will flourish.”

Atlanta associate Abe Kannof assisted Litvak in The 1300. Nelson Mullins continues to support City of Refuge and affordable housing developments across the nation. To learn more about The 1300, please visit SaportaReport here.