Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett and other officials recently gathered to commemorate two major milestones for the city’s new development, Village at Legacy: the ribbon-cutting for the project’s Phase I and the groundbreaking for Phase II.
Located on six acres of the Legacy Park site — formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home — Village at Legacy serves as Decatur’s first ground-up attainable housing community for families in decades.
Developed by Decatur Housing and its nonprofit partner, Preserving Affordable Housing, Inc. (PAHI), the project offers a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom townhomes and apartments.
Once complete, the project will provide a total of 132 affordable homes for local families.
Phase I of the project saw 66 units being built for just under $28 million, while the second phase will deliver another 66 units at an estimated cost of $21.5 million.
Units at the development are offered at a range of affordability levels — from 30% to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
Additionally, sixty units will be supported by project-based vouchers that cap rent at 30% of the household’s income.
Village at Legacy’s homes feature modern finishes, private balconies or patios, as well as access to several amenities including a community club house, outdoor recreation area, business center, raised garden beds and direct access to Legacy Park’s trails, playgrounds, new running track and more.
“Having these homes available is a significant step toward achieving our community’s goals – especially increasing access to housing at a range of affordable levels,” said Garrett. “It may be just a drop in the budget, but it’s one we intend to keep filling to meet the needs of our community.”
The City of Decatur purchased the Legacy Park property in 2017, later selecting Decatur Housing and PAHI to develop, own and manage the development that would materialize into Village at Legacy.
Decatur Housing was awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to support both phases of development, while additional financing is being provided by the city.
“Our mission at Decatur Housing is expanding access to high-quality, modern and safe housing that meets the needs of a growing, thriving city,” said Larry H. Padilla, chief executive officer and executive director of Decatur Housing. “Village at Legacy is a stellar example of what we can do when we have community support to address Decatur’s attainable housing needs.”
Leasing and move-ins for Phase I begins in August, with Phase II’s construction expected to be completed in spring 2026.