Six years ago, Atlanta's housing agency for the poor struck a deal that could now lead it to subsidize homes and shopping for the well-off, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation found.

Renee Glover, then Atlanta Housing Authority's CEO, gave partnerships led by prominent developer Integral Group seven years to decide whether to buy more than 100 parcels of the authority's land at steep discounts.

Much of it is near booming luxury construction where affordable housing is growing scare, or close to the Beltline, where values are expected to skyrocket.

 Public land involved in the deal is near downtown and next door to booming luxury construction. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)

Credit: Willoughby Mariano

icon to expand image

Credit: Willoughby Mariano

But none of it was envisioned for affordable housing -- even as Atlanta is facing an affordable housing crisis.

Now Integral, led by prominent developer Egbert Perry, wants to acquire the land. In fact, Perry and Glover think he's entitled to it.

But current AHA leadership wants out, and one local housing advocate calls it a "government giveaway."

An AJC investigation shows how two decades they spent tearing down Atlanta's public housing projects resulted in this deal.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com