Westside Future Fund (WFF) is preparing to take a historic step forward in English Avenue: the long-awaited demolition and redevelopment of the Oliver Street Apartments. Spanning more than four acres, this project will become the largest new development in English Avenue in over a generation — and one of the most transformative.
“For far too long, this property symbolized neglect and disinvestment,” said John Ahmann, President & CEO of Westside Future Fund. “Now, it will stand for opportunity, high-quality housing, and a brighter future for legacy residents and new neighbors alike.”
From Blight to Opportunity
The Oliver Street Apartments have a harsh and complicated history. By the time Westside Future Fund and OaksATL acquired the property, it was in a state of deep disrepair. Many of the units were unlivable, with some tenants still paying rent for homes in conditions no one should endure. Other units were occupied by squatters, creating unsafe and unstable living environments for those who remained.
Despite these challenges, WFF took a deliberate, compassionate approach to engaging with tenants. As part of its commitment to preventing displacement, WFF diligently relocated as many residents as possible, with several moving into WFF-owned multifamily properties where they could live in safe, high-quality housing.
That next chapter begins this August, when demolition is set to take place through a partnership between WFF and OaksATL. This critical first step is made possible thanks to $700k in funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provided by the City of Atlanta.
“Too often, development happens at the expense of those who already live in a community,” said Ahmann. “We’ve made it our mission to ensure that our legacy residents aren’t pushed out but instead are given the opportunity to remain and benefit from the revitalization happening around them.”
A Vision for High-Quality, Deeply Affordable Homes
With demolition set to begin soon, WFF will bring forward a bold vision for the site: a 120-unit development offering high-quality, deeply affordable housing through the organization’s signature program, Home on the Westside. The project will be supported by development partners Blue Ridge Atlantic Development. This new community will reflect WFF’s mission to ensure that those who have long called the historic Westside home can continue to do so, even as the neighborhood transforms.
The project represents the power of coordinated investment to reverse decades of neglect. By transforming these once-blighted apartments into a vibrant, livable community, WFF is delivering on its promise to restore the fabric of English Avenue while honoring its residents and history.
A Brighter Future Ahead
This project is about creating stability and opportunity for individuals and families who deserve nothing less. It’s also about continuing the momentum of revitalization across the Westside, proving that even the most blighted properties can become catalysts for hope and change.
As demolition begins and the new vision for Oliver Street takes shape, WFF remains committed to its core mission: ensuring that legacy residents can stay in the community they love, while welcoming new neighbors who share in the vision of a thriving English Avenue.
To learn more about Home on the Westside, visit www.homeonthewestside.com.