Decatur just cut the ribbon on a new senior housing complex that puts affordable units within a short stroll of the train. The latest addition to the Decatur East neighborhood brings 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments for residents 62 and older, stacked in a five-story building with a fitness center, business room and outdoor courtyard, all a quick walk from the Avondale MARTA station. Developers and early tenants say it opens up more transit-friendly options for older adults who want to stay in the city without breaking the bank.
As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the project is called The Link at Columbia Senior Residences and sits at 515 East Freeman Street, offering 80 apartments reserved for people 62 and older. Columbia Residential’s project announcement details the affordability rules, stating that 70 of the 80 units are restricted to households at or below 60% of the area median income, with 24 apartments supported by project-based rental assistance. The developer also notes a mix of 72 one-bedroom and 8 two-bedroom units and says construction wrapped in June 2025. “This is a beautiful place to live, and I feel very secure here. I have everything I need, including being close to my healthcare providers,” resident Palma Taylor said, in comments shared through local coverage.
Built as part of a transit-oriented push
Planners describe the building as the second phase of the Decatur East transit-oriented development next to Avondale station, adding another walkable block of housing to the growing cluster of residences near MARTA. Urbanize Atlanta reported that the project broke ground in January 2024 and that the site sits less than a quarter-mile from the Avondale MARTA platform, with MARTA noting frequent rail service that residents can reach on foot.
Funding and local partners
The development is a public-private effort led by Columbia Residential in partnership with the Decatur Housing Authority and supported by several local funding streams. Columbia Residential reports that the project received a 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, along with additional gap financing from DeKalb County HOME funds and the City of Decatur’s East Decatur Tax Allocation District. Officials say that combination of subsidies helped close the financing needed to move the building from plans to opening day.
Where this fits and who to contact
The new building joins a 2018 senior housing phase at Decatur East that remains fully occupied, a situation that highlights ongoing demand for affordable senior housing in the corridor. Leasing and contact details are listed on the community website, The Link at Columbia Senior Residences. The Housing Authority of DeKalb County opened a project-based voucher waitlist tied to Columbia Senior Residences at Decatur East in March 2025, according to officials, and applicants are advised to check the agency’s notices for the most current information on openings.
