Federal housing officials have given the Atlanta Housing Authority approval to tear down Bowen Homes, saying it would cost too much to renovate the apartment complex.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development made its decision Friday. The demolition will begin in the next 12-18 months, after Housing Authority officials find homes for the tenants.

Housing Authority officials have pushed for the demolition of Bowen Homes, located in northwest Atlanta, and 11 other developments for more than a year. The officials say the complexes are obsolete and part of an outdated public housing policy that puts poor families in the same communities that breed crime.

"This closes the door on warehousing families in distressed communities and poverty," the authority's executive director, Renee Glover, said in an interview Monday.

Although tenants will receive vouchers for rent and utility assistance in their new residences, some Bowen Homes tenants said the demolitions would put them in new neighborhoods where it will be tougher to have access to transportation, their jobs and health care.

"Maybe it's the lens I'm looking through," said Shirley Hightower, Bowen Homes tenant association president. "We're looking for a win-win. They're giving us a win-lose."

Hightower said tenants may fight the demolition plan in court.

Tenants now pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross income on rent and utilities.

Housing Authority officials said it would cost about $100 million to renovate the 650-unit Bowen Homes, built in 1964. The demolition cost is $5.85 million.

Glover and her staff said crime was another problem. Five young men were shot and killed at Bowen Homes last year between July and November.

Hightower said most of the crime came from people who didn't live in Bowen Homes.

Glover said the overwhelming majority of tenants moved from Housing Authority developments in recent years are pleased with their new surroundings. After demolition, the Housing Authority will seek proposals from developers interested in building a mixed-use, mixed-income community on the property.

Glover said she is expecting HUD approval in the next week or two to demolish six other Housing Authority developments.

The story so far

• Previously: The Atlanta Housing Authority announced a plan in February 2007 to demolish a dozen older apartment complexes.

• The latest: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved plans to raze Bowen Homes, despite opposition from some tenants, City Council members and community activists.

• What's next: The Housing Authority will help find tenants new homes in Atlanta or other parts of the region.