ATLANTA — As Ozzy Herrera stepped through the skeletal frame of his future home in Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood, his mind raced with possibilities. He pictured a brown leather sofa complementing the hardwood floors, terra-cotta walls adding warmth to the living space, and a sleek bar cart tucked near the kitchen. At 27, Herrera, who juggles two jobs at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, never thought homeownership would be within reach.
"It's special. It's magical," Herrera said during a recent tour of the site. His excitement is palpable as volunteers prepare to finalize his home and 23 others in May as part of Habitat for Humanity's 40th annual Carter Work Project. Named after former President Jimmy Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn, the weeklong building blitz has constructed or improved roughly 5,000 homes across 14 countries since 1984. This year's event marks the initiative's return to Atlanta for the first time since 1988, when the Carters helped build 21 homes in a different neighborhood.
The project in Sylvan Hills underscores Habitat for Humanity's evolving role beyond traditional homebuilding. As the nonprofit marks its 50th anniversary this year, it is increasingly stepping into real estate development amid a national affordable housing crisis. "The gap between what a family can afford and what it costs to create that unit of housing is the widest it has been in modern history," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.
Habitat's shift comes as smaller developers struggle to recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many closing their doors permanently. By taking on development roles, the organization aims to address these gaps more effectively. In Sylvan Hills, Habitat purchased 8 acres of land in 2015, previously occupied by a saw-blade manufacturer, and successfully rezoned it for residential use. The resulting community, named Langston Park, will feature a mix of single-family homes and multifamily townhomes — a first for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.
"We do believe it's important to get the best use out of every precious piece of land that we're able to acquire and come by so that we can serve more families," said Rosalyn Merrick, president and CEO of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. The 24 units under construction are projected to cost about $200,000 each to build. Homeowners like Herrera will pay monthly mortgages scaled to their income, with no interest charged by Habitat. Plans call for eventually developing 40 additional homes on the site, expanding the community's reach.
Phileena Daniel, also 27, is another beneficiary of the project. She and her 7-year-old son have faced housing instability over the past two years, including a stint in an apartment plagued by rats and roaches. Securing a home in Langston Park promises the stability she has long sought. "You know, sometimes we don't see ourselves going far in life as young Black women in this society," Daniel said. "This is giving us an opportunity to expand."
The initiative has drawn praise from experts in urban planning and economics. Vincent Reina, a professor of urban economics and planning at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the Housing Initiative at Penn, described Habitat's approach as "a classic example of a nonprofit organization really trying to be responsive to community needs." He added, "They can still be true to their core mission, which is advancing homeownership opportunities, but they are also acknowledging that we need a diverse set of housing solutions to really meet the needs of individuals."
Reina's research, co-authored with Benjamin J. Keys, a Wharton real estate and finance professor, highlights the severity of the housing market. Their study, published last year, found that high home prices combined with 30-year mortgage rates exceeding 7% have priced out even moderate-income households from buying in all but a handful of the 98 most expensive U.S. metro areas. This affordability crunch has elevated housing as a key national issue, influencing policy debates in Washington and beyond.
In Congress, both the House and Senate have advanced separate affordable housing bills, with lawmakers now negotiating to reconcile differences before sending a final version to President Donald Trump for signature. Trump has issued executive orders aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on housing development and easing mortgage access for smaller banks. However, his proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 includes significant cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the outright elimination of several community development programs that fund affordable housing initiatives in cities.
These federal dynamics play out against a backdrop of local challenges in Atlanta, where rising rents have forced residents like Herrera to relocate multiple times. For Herrera, the instability derailed his entrepreneurial dreams, including plans to open a coffee shop. "Rising rents in the Atlanta area had forced him to move previously, taking time and money away from that project," he explained. Homeownership, with its predictable payments, changes that calculus. "Now, I can finally take some risks," Herrera said. He also envisions the home as a haven for his parents; his mother battled breast cancer, and they could move in if needed.
The Carter Work Project's history adds emotional weight to the Sylvan Hills effort. Since its inception, the Carters have personally participated in builds worldwide, embodying a commitment to service that resonates deeply with volunteers and recipients alike. This year's event expects nearly 1,000 participants, underscoring the project's enduring appeal. Atlanta Habitat's Merrick emphasized the community's potential: Langston Park isn't just about individual homes but fostering a supportive neighborhood fabric.
Broader implications of Habitat's development pivot could ripple across the nonprofit sector. As Reckford noted, the affordable housing shortage demands innovative responses from organizations traditionally focused on construction. By acquiring land, navigating zoning, and building multifamily units, Habitat positions itself to serve more families efficiently. Reina agreed, pointing out that such adaptations allow nonprofits to complement government efforts without supplanting them.
Yet, the path forward remains fraught. Federal budget proposals threatening HUD funding could strain local programs like Langston Park. Advocates worry that reduced support for community development might exacerbate the very gaps Habitat seeks to fill. In Atlanta, where population growth has outpaced housing supply, initiatives like this one offer a glimmer of hope amid the strain.
For families like Herrera's and Daniel's, the immediate impact is transformative. Herrera's vision of stability extends beyond decor choices to long-term security and ambition. As construction ramps up in May, the frames in Sylvan Hills will fill with walls, roofs, and lives — a testament to collaborative philanthropy in action. Habitat for Humanity's leaders, from Reckford to Merrick, see this as just the beginning, with plans to scale similar developments nationwide.
Looking ahead, the completion of Langston Park's initial phase will provide valuable lessons for future projects. With 40 more homes slated for the site, Atlanta Habitat aims to maximize its impact on the city's housing landscape. As the nation grapples with affordability, stories from Sylvan Hills remind policymakers and the public of the human stakes involved.