Westside Future Fund (WFF), joined by City of Atlanta leaders, community partners, and residents, hosted a ribbon cutting on January 16 to celebrate the opening of 839 Joseph E. Boone Blvd and 646 Echo Street — two new, high-quality, deeply affordable multifamily communities in the English Avenue neighborhood.

Together, the developments deliver 57 new homes, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, expanding long-term affordable housing options for Westside residents. The 839 Joseph E. Boone Blvd development also includes three ground-floor retail spaces designed to support local small businesses and strengthen neighborhood vitality.

“These projects represent what it looks like when restoration is guided by community priorities and rooted in long-term affordability,” said John Ahmann, President & CEO of Westside Future Fund. “Built on formerly vacant and blighted land, 839 Boone and 646 Echo reflect our commitment to restoration without displacement — creating high-quality homes that allow residents to remain, businesses to grow, and neighborhoods to thrive.”

The delivery of these communities marks a significant milestone in resident-centered restoration efforts underway across Atlanta’s historic Westside. The developments are a tangible example of how public-private partnerships, including investment through the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD), can catalyze deeply affordable housing and neighborhood-serving resources at scale.

The projects were guided by the Westside Land Use Framework, a community-driven roadmap developed with resident input to shape equitable growth across the historic Westside. By aligning with the framework’s principles — thoughtful density, walkability, mixed-use development, and long-term affordability — 839 Joseph E. Boone Blvd and 646 Echo Street reflect an intentional approach to growth that strengthens existing communities rather than displacing them.

“We’re excited about the work that has been done here and the affordable housing work Westside Future Fund is doing to utilize vacant sites and turn them into new beginnings for

families that deserve stable, affordable, and quality housing,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “This is an example of the housing work my administration is committed to advancing across all of Atlanta as we focus on people and on place. I’m proud of how Westside Future Fund continues to turn ideas into lasting opportunities for families across the city.”

The communities serve households earning approximately 30 to 80 percent of Area Median Income, pairing high-quality affordable housing with neighborhood-scale development designed to support stability, connection, and opportunity.

“Projects like these show how intentional investment can truly change lives,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president & CEO of Invest Atlanta. “For every dollar we invest through TADs, twelve more flow into the community, supporting high‑quality, accessible housing and strengthening the neighborhoods families call home.”

The two developments represent $16.4 million in total investment, with Westside Future Fund entrusted with $14.9 million through philanthropy and the WFF Impact Fund. Major philanthropic supporters include the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation (839 Joseph E. Boone Blvd) and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and James M. Cox Foundation (646 Echo Street). The Westside TAD provided $1.5 million in supporting investment. Impact Fund participants include Chick-fil-A, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, Cox Enterprises, Georgia Power, Equifax, Holder Construction, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and Truist.

Westside Future Fund also recognized oaksATL for its partnership and meaningful contributions to 646 Echo Street and continued commitment to families and communities on the Westside.

The ribbon-cutting event included remarks from:

• John Ahmann, President & CEO, Westside Future Fund
• Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
• Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President & CEO, Invest Atlanta
• Councilmember Byron Amos, Atlanta City Council

Community members and partners participated in tours of the new apartment homes and discussions about the broader vision for neighborhood restoration in English Avenue.