City of Refuge, a 25-year-old nonprofit situated at the heart of the 30314 neighborhood, has completed the renovation of The 345, the organization’s second affordable housing project on Atlanta’s Westside. The first affordable housing project from the organization was a 47-unit apartment community called The 1300, developed in 2020.
Originally built by O.T. Bell, The Danzig Motel opened on Chappell Road in 1959. Nearly 40 years later in 1997, the Motel was purchased by the Antioch Baptist Church and renovated as “Matthew’s Place,” a home that served HIV-positive residents. Now, City of Refuge will blend the histories of the two entities together to bring The 345 to life, focusing on Westside neighborhood residents, especially those from the Westlake and Bankhead areas, who are defined as low income individuals by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“From where we stand as an organization, Atlanta’s Westside is filled with hidden potential. The 345 is just one example of how we are working to uncover and restore critical pillars of this community by tackling one of its most pervasive issues: lack of affordable housing,” said Bruce Deel, City of Refuge founder and CEO. “Over the coming months and years, we are excited to share more on how we are improving access to high-quality, safe and supportive housing to support transformation for families and individuals in the 30314.”
With the goal of serving primarily men, The 345 will provide 31 housing units and access to City of Refuge’s wraparound services for up to three years. Services include budgeting, discipleship, mentorship, employment, counseling, addiction recovery, healthcare, childcare, basic life skills, fitness and more. Each floor will be managed by a Resident Services Supervisor, who will also serve as an advisor to the men living in The 345.
The three-floor housing community will be separated by groups of men: floor one will be dedicated to citizens returning…
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