Habitat for Humanity is Developing a New Atlanta Community with Help From the Carters’ Initiative

May 8, 2026

Habitat for Humanity is expanding its role beyond traditional homebuilding to become a real estate developer in response to America's worsening affordable housing crisis. The nonprofit is constructing 24 affordable housing units in Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood as part of the 40th Carter Work Project, marking the first time it will develop multifamily townhomes in the city. This strategic shift comes as smaller developers struggle to recover from pandemic losses and the gap between housing costs and family income reaches historic highs.

Who is affected

Ozzy Herrera, 27-year-old airport worker buying a home in the development
Phileena Daniel, 27-year-old single mother and her 7-year-old son who previously lived in substandard housing
22 other families who will purchase homes in Langston Park
Moderate-income households unable to afford homes in 98 expensive metro areas across the country
Smaller housing developers who haven't recovered from COVID-19 pandemic losses
Cities and communities that rely on HUD community development programs facing potential budget cuts

What action is being taken

Nearly 1,000 volunteers are constructing 24 affordable housing units in Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood for the Carter Work Project in May
Habitat for Humanity is serving as the real estate developer for the Langston Park project, including purchasing land, securing rezoning, and building a mix of single-family homes and townhomes
Congress is working to reconcile differences between House and Senate affordable housing bills
President Trump has signed executive orders to reduce housing regulatory burdens and help smaller banks provide mortgages

Why it matters

The gap between what families can afford and actual housing costs has reached its widest point in modern history, making homeownership impossible for moderate-income households in nearly all major metro areas. This affordability crisis forces families into unstable or substandard housing situations and prevents them from building wealth through homeownership. Habitat for Humanity's expansion into comprehensive real estate development represents an innovative nonprofit response that maintains their core mission while acknowledging the need for diverse housing solutions. For individuals like Herrera and Daniel, affordable homeownership provides financial stability, enables them to take career risks, and offers opportunities for wealth-building historically denied to young people and communities of color.

What's next

Habitat for Humanity plans to eventually build 40 additional homes on the Sylvan Hills site beyond the initial 24 units
Congress is working to reconcile differences between House and Senate affordable housing bills to send final legislation to President Trump for approval
The Carter Work Project volunteers will complete construction of the 24 homes in May

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint