Renovations are underway on the historic O’Hern House, a 76-unit apartment building in Sweet Auburn that provides permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless individuals.
O’Hern House, located at 16 William Holmes Borders Sr. Drive, serves residents typically diagnosed with dual challenges of severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Residents have recently relocated to another apartment complex and are slated to return in the fall of 2026. The rehab project timeline is expected to take 12 months.
The rehab will ensure the longevity and preservation of these critical affordable housing units in the heart of Atlanta, according to a press release from the city.
The renovation will include a complete reconfiguration of the first level and a refresh of residential rooms, along with new fixtures and furniture throughout the building. HVAC, electrical, plumbing and lighting systems will be upgraded with an eye towards energy efficiency.
All on-site amenities will be upgraded, including the full-service industrial kitchen that provides three meals per day for the residents and the lounges and laundry rooms on the third and fourth floors. Additional on-site features include an elevator, game room, library, and community space for residents to engage in activities.
“O’Hern House has been a lifeline in this community for decades, and with today’s renovation, it recommits itself to decades more,” Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari said in a statement. “Atlanta’s commitment to permanent supportive housing cannot be a passing moment, it has to be a lasting covenant. The team behind O’Hern House understands this responsibility, and this is yet another example of its promise.”
Located in the Sweet Auburn Historic District, the building was originally constructed as the Red Seal Shoe Factory in the early 1900s. In 1993, it was converted into the O’Hern House.