DECATUR, GA. — The Housing Authority of the City of Decatur (Decatur Housing) and nonprofit developer partner Preserving Affordable Housing Inc. (PAHI) completed Phase I and broke ground on Phase II of Village at Legacy on June 18.
Once completed, the two-phase development will offer 132 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences across two phases and in a variety of floor plans including townhomes and apartments.
The first 66 units in Phase I are being delivered under a $20.4 million construction contract with total project costs reaching $27.9 million. The second 66 units in Phase II are being developed with a $13.7 million construction contract and overall project costs of $21.5 million, representing an investment of approximately $49 million.
Forty of the 66 units in Phase I and 20 units in Phase II are supported by project-based vouchers provided by Decatur Housing under a new Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract. Funded by HUD, this program creates housing attainability by capping residents’ rent at 30 percent of their adjusted income.
The remaining units are reserved for a variety of income levels, including a combined 21 units at 30 percent of area median income (AMI), 21 units at 40 percent AMI, 23 units at 50 percent AMI, 22 units at 60 percent AMI, 23 units at 70 percent AMI, and 22 units at 80 percent AMI.
Leasing and move-in activity at Phase I of Village at Legacy is expected to begin in August, with construction of Phase II targeted for completion in the spring of 2026.
Village at Legacy is being built on a 6-acre parcel that is part of a 77-acre property. The site was formerly occupied by the United Methodist Children’s Home. In 2017, the City of Decatur purchased the 77 acres and, through an intergovernmental agreement, selected Decatur Housing and PAHI to develop, own and manage the new attainable housing community it would ultimately develop and build. The City has provided the 6-acre parcel through a nominal-cost, long-term ground lease, along with funding to support public infrastructure improvements, including roads, sidewalks, storm sewers and utilities.