New 'Rapid-Housing' Project in Atlanta

ATLANTA — A rapid-housing development rising near Midtown is taking shape, marking one of the most visible steps yet in the city’s push to add 500 supportive-housing units by the end of 2025.

New images show significant progress at the Waterworks Rapid Housing site, located where Green Street meets Reservoir Drive in the Berkeley Park neighborhood, just west of Atlantic Station. The project features two three-story modular buildings that will provide roughly 100 studio units for Atlantans exiting chronic homelessness.

City officials say the modular approach — using prefabricated units assembled on-site — is designed to speed up construction and cut costs. Each unit measures about 192 to 254 square feet and includes in-room appliances such as a washer and dryer. Four dedicated offices inside the complex will house case managers and mental-health staff.

All apartments will be reserved for residents making less than 30% of the Area Median Income, placing the project at the lowest tier of affordable housing. The city has emphasized that the development will serve individuals who are currently unsheltered and in need of ongoing supportive services.

The Waterworks site is the second major rapid-housing project to move toward completion, following The Melody, a modular building on Peachtree Street near MARTA’s Civic Center station. Together, these complexes are part of a broader effort to create faster, lower-cost housing options amid rising homelessness in the metro area.

The project’s location — close to major roads, transit options, and the BeltLine — is intended to improve access to services and transportation. Still, the density of supportive housing and the long-term management model are expected to draw close attention from nearby residents and citywide stakeholders as units begin to fill.

Atlanta’s rapid-housing initiative is funded through a mix of local dollars and philanthropic support. City leaders have said more rapid-build sites are expected to be announced in 2026 if the current projects show strong outcomes.

The Waterworks development is projected to open next year.