Affordable Senior Housing Development Proposed for Stone Mountain City

A public hearing was held Monday at Stone Mountain city hall on a zoning amendment for a proposed 80-unit affordable senior housing project at 901 Fourth Street.

The Housing Development Corporation of DeKalb, a subsidiary of Housing Authority of DeKalb County, wants to raze the existing structure on the property (DeKalb Children's Shelter, Inc. is the property owner) and build in its place a three-story Mountain View Senior Residences for people age 62 and older.

Some in the audience Monday asked about everything from a waiting list for housing to getting MARTA service back to the area (answer: that's not currently in MARTA's plans).

Despite support -- "I think this will be a good asset for the community," said mayor pro tem Chakira Johnson - -- there are several more steps to take before the project comes to fruition.

Meyer Harrington, real estate financial analyst with the Housing Authority of DeKalb County, said approval of the rezoning issue comes up for a city council vote in May. 

According to the work session agenda, a public hearing on Housing Development's application for variances on the property is set for May 20, 6 p.m.

Harrington explained that Housing Development Corporation will go to the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA), where it will apply for tax credits to help fund a large portion of the project.

If DCA selects the project, the award would come between November or December. After choosing and putting in place key project team members, construction could begin next July, Harrington said.

Mountain View would be another local senior housing development. In unincorporated Stone Mountain, Lane Manor senior housing has recently been completed.