Motel transformed into affordable apartments for seniors and young adults
MELBOURNE: A former extended-stay motel has been transformed into 73 affordable apartments for seniors and young adults experiencing housing instability, with residents expected to begin moving in next month.
Gwinnett Housing Corporation will celebrate the completion of Crest Pointe Village with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7065 Jimmy Carter Blvd.
The $15 million redevelopment converted the former Spring Swallow Lodge, located on a 4.69-acre property, into a residential community offering studio efficiency and one-bedroom apartments equipped with full kitchens.
The development will serve adults 62 and older, along with young adults ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including those transitioning out of foster care.
“Where others saw an aging extended-stay motel, we saw an opportunity to address the need for increased access to affordable housing, and we have created a community that residents will be proud to call home,” said Karen Ramsey, CEO of Gwinnett Housing Corporation.
“For a senior, this can mean a safe, affordable place to age with dignity. For a young adult, it can mean having the stability to continue their education, find employment, and begin building their future,” Ramsey said.
Beyond providing affordable housing, the development will offer supportive services intended to help residents maintain stability and independence.
Gwinnett Housing Corporation is partnering with Hope, Thrive, Support to provide services that help residents work toward educational, employment and personal goals. OneStreet Residential will manage the property.
The project marks Gwinnett County’s first conversion of a hotel into permanent affordable housing, according to the housing corporation.
The redevelopment also represents the culmination of more than a decade of work by the nonprofit to address housing insecurity among residents who rely on extended-stay motels as long-term housing.
The organization’s study, When Extended Stay Becomes Home, found that 84% of respondents in Norcross relied on extended-stay hotels as housing of last resort.
The findings helped shape the organization’s efforts to identify opportunities to convert aging extended-stay properties into permanent affordable housing.
“This project represents a full-circle milestone for our organization,” said Lejla Prljaca, chief development officer of Gwinnett Housing Corporation.
“More than a decade ago, we began elevating the voices of families experiencing hidden housing insecurity in extended-stay hotels. Today, we are celebrating Gwinnett County’s first hotel conversion into permanent affordable housing,” Prljaca said.
Gwinnett County provided nearly half of the project’s $15 million development cost, with additional support from public agencies, charitable foundations, financial institutions and community partners.
Other supporters include the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Gwinnett County Housing Authority, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Power Foundation, Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia and several private foundations.
The city of Peachtree Corners also supported the redevelopment.
Praxis3 served as the project architect, and AAPCO Group was the general contractor.
The Oct. 28 ribbon-cutting ceremony will include property tours and photo opportunities following the event. Residents are expected to begin occupying the apartments in November.
Founded in 1997 by the Lawrenceville Housing Authority, Gwinnett Housing Corporation is a nonprofit housing developer focused on expanding affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents through rental housing, homeownership programs, rehabilitation projects and community partnerships.