Phase I adds 170 units of mixed-income family housing to the McAuley Park master plan in Southeast Atlanta

November 4, 2024 — Mercy Care, Pennrose and project partners celebrated the grand opening of McAuley Station Phase I today, delivering 170 high-quality, mixed-income apartments adjacent to the Mercy Care campus in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta. The $50 million development is part of the comprehensive mixed-use McAuley Park master plan.

Speakers at the ceremony included: Andre Dickens, Mayor, City of Atlanta; Denise Farrior, Interim Housing Finance and Development Division Director, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD, President & CEO, Invest Atlanta; Katie Saez, Georgia Region President, Truist; Chris Womack, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Southern Company; Ivy Carter, Senior Vice President, Pennrose, LLC; Kathryn Lawler, CEO, Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care; Mike Anderson, Board Chair, Saint Joseph’s Health System; Sr. Jane Gerety, RSM, Chief Mission Officer, Saint Joseph’s Health System; and Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer, Archbishop of Atlanta.

Phase I includes studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments for local families. The 163,905-square-foot community is designed to serve a range of incomes, with a mix of workforce, affordable, and supportive housing units available at 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Of the 170 total units, 10 are designated as transitional/respite units for Mercy Care patients and 30 studios will serve as permanent supportive housing through Fulton County’s Behavioral Health Department in partnership with Partners for HOME.

“McAuley Station marks a critical turning point for many in Atlanta seeking safe, stable, affordable housing and healthcare,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “Today is an exciting step forward in building a healthy, connected, and thriving community from the ground up. Together we are giving residents hope, opportunity, and a way forward.”

“Pennrose is proud to partner with Mercy Care on this innovative healthcare and housing development, simultaneously improving access to high-quality housing and affordable health care,” said Ivy Dench-Carter, Senior Vice President of Development at Pennrose. “With its excellent location, top-of-the-line amenities, and modern living spaces, McAuley Station is a fantastic new housing option for Atlanta families.”

“Sister Catherine McAuley opened a shelter for homeless girls and women in 1827 which led to the founding of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831,” said Kathryn Lawler, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Care. “Almost 200 years later, we continue to address the effects of homelessness on health. McAuley Station is our latest effort to build a healthcare system that truly heals. Intentional social care, like the housing we are here to celebrate today, is how we move the needle when even the best healthcare isn’t enough.”

The brand new, energy-efficient apartments feature modern kitchens with dishwasher and electric range, granite countertops, and black appliances; luxury vinyl plank flooring; laundry facilities; and central A/C. Residents will also have access to robust on-site community amenities, including a rooftop deck with scenic views of downtown Atlanta, bocce court, and grill station; inviting resident lounge; state-of-the-art fitness center; five-story covered parking deck with access control; business center with computer stations; professionally landscaped grounds; on-site property management; and more.

Residents of McAuley Station will have direct access to Mercy Care medical services providing them with safe and secure housing as well as reliable, affordable healthcare. In addition to on-site amenities, the McAuley Park master plan is located in close proximity to King Memorial MARTA Station, the Atlanta Beltline, and downtown Atlanta. Residents will enjoy easy access to shops, restaurants, and entertainment options along with the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center, featuring one of the largest pools in Atlanta, fitness and weight room, climbing wall, senior center, indoor walking and jogging track, and computer lab.

Mercy Care recently completed the 36,000-square-foot expansion of its clinic space and resource center for partner agencies in 2022. The expansion nearly doubled Mercy Care’s campus, allowing the nonprofit to serve 3,000 more patients annually, many of whom are uninsured or unable to pay for care.

The development team plans to begin construction on Phase II, which will deliver 97 units of affordable senior housing, in 2025. Once complete, the comprehensive McAuley Park master plan will deliver 270 affordable family, senior, and workforce apartments and the extensive clinic expansion and renovation to better serve Atlanta’s low-income population.

Financing for the project was provided by $26 million in bonds issued by Invest Atlanta and privately placed with Truist Bank. These bonds will be used as construction funding for the project. A $30 million of private equity investment by Truist, generated from an allocation of LIHTCs from Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs. DCA contributed $3 million in HOME Loan and $4 million in National Housing Trust Fund Funding. Trinity Health Care provided a $4 million favorable loan to the project and Invest Atlanta provided a $4 million grant through its eastside TAD program. Partners for HOME provided $1.2 million in Grant Funds and Saint Joseph’s Health System provided $4.37 million to support the project’s shared parking deck.

Phase I project partners include Smith Dailia Architects and Capstone Building Corporation. Pennrose Management Company will serve as the property manager.

About Mercy Care

Since 1985, Mercy Care has worked to bring healthcare to those who are most vulnerable. As a federally qualified health center with four locations supported by a street medicine team and mobile clinic, and Atlanta’s only healthcare for the homeless program, Mercy Care’s work often serves those who struggle from a lack of insurance, cultural or language barriers, previous negative interactions with healthcare providers, homelessness, or a combination of many of these challenges. In the 12 months ending June 30, 2024, Mercy Care saw more patients than any other year in its history. Mercy Care provided more than 79,000 appointments to more than 18,800 people, up 25 percent and 12 percent from the prior year, respectively. Along with the need for primary care, Mercy Care continues to see increased demand for psychiatric, dental and vision care across all locations. www.mercyatlanta.org

About Pennrose

Pennrose is committed to addressing the nation’s housing crisis through collaborative partnerships and innovative solutions. In Ohio, Pennrose partnered with the Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) to develop Eastern Woods Senior, a 50-unit residential community adjacent to the Health System’s Continuing Care Retirement Communities campus. Pennrose also developed the award-winning West Turner Residences in Pennsylvania, a joint venture with Sacred Heart Hospital.

With more than 50 years of experience, Pennrose combines quality development and proven management to deliver exceptional lifestyle-centered communities for its residents. With the superior knowledge and unparalleled dedication to get the job done right, Pennrose develops and operates conventional, affordable, mixed-income, and mixed-use communities throughout the United States. For more information visit www.pennrose.com.