Atlanta, GA – Westside Future Fund (WFF) is excited to announce the groundbreaking of its latest high-quality affordable housing development at 646 Echo Street. This significant project underscores WFF’s and the City of Atlanta’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality affordable housing to the city’s residents, particularly in legacy neighborhoods like the historic Westside.

WFF is a place-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring the historic Westside to a vibrant community Dr. King would be proud to call home.  This latest development will feature two three-story buildings, one with a distinctive brick face, and will comprise 24 units, including two ADA-compliant units. The project is strategically located just 1.5 blocks from the Westside Beltline Connector Trail. As with all of its developments, this project is in alignment with the Westside Land Use Framework Plan, unanimously adopted by the Atlanta City Council in 2017.

“I have always been an advocate of providing our residents with access to safe, stable, quality affordable housing. We know that quality housing for all is directly linked to healthy, thriving, and connected communities,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “My administration has a plan to build or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030 and collaborations and partnerships that create housing like this help us get closer toward that goal.”

The 646 Echo Street project is generously funded by the James M. Cox Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, WFF Impact Fund, and Invest Atlanta. Development partners Kronberg Urbanists + Architects and oaksATL bring their expertise to this transformative initiative.

With almost a decade of experience in equitable neighborhood revitalization, WFF is focused on the urgent demand to increase housing for renters, aspiring homeowners, and provide property tax assistance for legacy residents.

Through its signature program Home on the Westside, the organization prioritizes residents with key “live, work, learn” connections to the historic neighborhoods it serves (English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center and Just Us). This helps to ensure that as Atlanta’s Westside re-populates, legacy residents will be able to take part in its future prosperity. To fully realize this vision, WFF has launched its Our Next Chapter campaign with the ambitious goal to raise $55 million through Atlanta’s philanthropic community. The organization is currently halfway to its goal thanks to the generous support of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Chick-fil-A, Inc., The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Home Depot, Inc. and many others.

“Today marks a pivotal moment for the historic Westside. This project is a testament to our enduring commitment to preserving and revitalizing our legacy neighborhoods by providing high-quality, affordable housing options for our residents,” said John Ahmann, President & CEO of Westside Future Fund. “We are deeply grateful to our partners and funders for their unwavering support in making this vision a reality. Together, we are not just building homes, but we are building community, where every resident can thrive and contribute to the area’s vibrant future.”

Located near the Westside Beltline Connector Trail and Echo Street West, this development not only enhances accessibility to recreational and commercial amenities but also reinforces the city’s broader efforts to foster inclusive growth and community development.

WFF is currently developing an additional 104 high-quality, affordable housing units, in both new construction and substantial rehab projects, throughout its service footprint.

All media who would like to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at 646 Echo Street are asked to RSVP with Candace Wheeler at candace@westsidefuturefund.org.

Project Details

• Total Units: 24
• ADA Units: 2
• Affordable Units Breakdown:
  • 20% of units at 30% Area Median Income (AMI)
  • 30% of units at 60% AMI
  • 50% of units at 80% AMI
• Building Characteristics: Two three-story buildings, one with brick face
• Projected Completion Date: September 2025