Columbia Residential and Atlanta Housing Gather to Celebrate Completion of $32 Million Renovation of Columbia Senior Residences at MLK Village, Renewing Commitment to Affordable Senior Housing

Ribbon cutting also recognized $5 million in improvements at neighboring Columbia Tower at MLK

ATLANTA, GA – November 12, 2026 – Columbia Residential, in partnership with Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), gathered with residents, community leaders, and partners today to celebrate the completion of a $32 million renovation of Columbia Senior Residences at MLK Village. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the affordable housing community for Atlanta’s seniors 62 and older in the historic Capitol Gateway neighborhood. The ceremony also recognized $5 million in recently completed improvements at neighboring Columbia Tower at MLK. Together, these transformations enhance quality of life and ensure long-term affordability in housing for Atlanta seniors and families.

Originally developed in 2007 in partnership with Ebenezer Building Foundation, Columbia Senior Residences at MLK Village has provided high-quality, affordable homes for seniors for nearly two decades. The newly financed $32 million preservation effort has rehabilitated the existing community, modernizing homes, upgrading amenities, and extending long-term affordability through federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), rental assistance, and local financing support.

The completed renovation delivers new energy-efficient HVAC and electrical systems, updated fire and elevator safety systems, high-performance windows, new roofing, upgraded kitchens with ENERGY STAR® appliances, upgraded bathrooms with WaterSense® plumbing fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation features meeting the National Green Building Standards®. Residents enjoy robust amenities, including a fitness center, library, community gardens, arts and crafts studio, theater, and gathering spaces.

Columbia Senior Residences at MLK Village community is considered “very walkable” by Walk Score® with a rating of 71 out of 100. Residents enjoy nearby conveniences within one mile of the community, including the King Memorial MARTA® station, Publix® grocery store, Grady Memorial Hospital, restaurants, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center, and more.

“Preserving high-quality, affordable senior housing in Atlanta’s core neighborhoods is critical to our mission,” said Carmen Chubb, president of Columbia Residential. “This effort not only modernizes a vibrant community but also honors the legacy of Ebenezer Baptist Church and the many partners who made Columbia Senior at MLK Village possible.”

The $32 million redevelopment was funded through a combination of tax-exempt bond financing issued by Invest Atlanta, federal and state LIHTC equity, HUD 223F and 241a loans, Invest Atlanta Housing Opportunity Bonds, and City of Atlanta HOME funding.

“At at a time when nearly 57% of Metro Atlanta renters age 65 and older are spending more than 30% of their income on housing, the need for affordable senior housing has never been more urgent,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “Protecting affordable housing and expanding opportunity for Atlanta’s seniors is critical to ensure that current and future generations of older adults have access to safe, quality, and affordable housing.”

In addition, Atlanta Housing has committed 121 HomeFlex vouchers for 20 years, ensuring deep affordability for all residents.

“Atlanta Housing is proud to partner with Columbia Residential to preserve this vital community for seniors,” said Terri M. Lee, Atlanta Housing President and CEO. “This investment allows longtime residents to age in place affordably while benefiting from modern, energy-efficient homes and enhanced quality of life.”

The ceremony also highlighted neighboring Columbia Tower at MLK, which recently completed a $5 million investment to update building systems, renovate residential units, and improve the building’s exterior façade.

Together, the two projects represent $37 million in reinvestment and demonstrate how strategic investment in existing housing can preserve affordability, modernize homes, support residents, and strengthen the surrounding neighborhood.

The program featured remarks from the following speakers:

• Carmen Chubb, Columbia Residential
• Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
• Terri Lee, Atlanta Housing leadership
• Tyrone Rachal, Ebenezer Building Foundation, Inc.
• Sandy Wyckoff, Sr., Georgia Department of Community Affairs
• Tori Cook, Advantage Capital
• Vickey Roberts, Invest Atlanta
• Candy Moore, Regions Bank

The preservation of Columbia Senior Residences at MLK Village reflects Columbia Residential’s long-standing commitment to quality, affordable housing, with more than 12,000 apartment homes developed and over 10,000 units currently under management across the Southeast.

Design and construction team:

• Architect: JHP Architecture and Urban Design
• Civil Engineer: Atlas
• General Contractor: Trinity Construction Services, LLC
• Green Building Consultant: SK Collaborative

About Columbia Residential

Founded in 1991 by the late Noel Khalil, Columbia Residential is an award-winning Atlanta-based developer, owner, and manager of affordable and mixed-income housing. Celebrating its thirty-five-year anniversary in 2026, the company operates in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas with an active development pipeline. It manages 10,000 affordable and mixed-income housing units in some 75 communities. Columbia Residential is a place-based developer and makes a lasting commitment to each community it plans, builds, and services by providing a continuum of stewardship that powers long-term investments. The company’s unique development and property management approach features strong local partnerships and an innovative model for resident services, including comprehensive onsite programming and additional resources provided through strategic partnerships with local entities that foster a strong home life and growth mindset for every resident.

About Atlanta Housing

President and Chief Executive Officer Terri M. Lee leads The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Housing), the largest housing authority in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation. Atlanta Housing carries the prestigious Moving to Work (MTW) designation and serves as an industry leader in providing and facilitating affordable housing resources for nearly 27,000 low-income households comprised of approximately 43,000 people through its Atlanta Housing-owned residential communities, tenant-based and project-based vouchers, supportive housing, as well as down payment assistance, where innovation leads the approach to making the dream of homeownership attainable for more Atlantans. Atlanta Housing programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Visit Atlanta Housing at www.atlantahousing.org or follow them on social media @housingatlanta.

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