Vecino Group, East Point Housing Authority,
UnitedHealth Group and National Affordable Housing Trust invest in
community, revitalize affordable housing, provide health and social
services
Aya Tower residents in East Point, Georgia, as well as city
officials, community members and business partners attended a grand
opening event today to celebrate a revitalized affordable housing
development, an effort on which national affordable and supportive
housing developer the Vecino Group, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH),
the National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), and the East Point
Housing Authority (EPHA) all partnered. In addition to making safe
and affordable housing available, several health and social
services will be offered in adjacent buildings for Aya Tower
residents and the full community.
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Residents, Community Officials Celebrate
Aya Tower in East Point following $24 Million Redevelopment photo
credit: Melissa East / Courtesy of Vecino Group
Aya Tower, which had been vacant since 2004, experienced a $24
million redevelopment by national affordable and supportive housing
developer the Vecino Group, and now includes 88 affordable one- and
two-bedroom apartments for families earning between $30,000 and
$40,000 annually. The property is managed by Wingate Properties
Management and opened to residents earlier this year.
“This development is poised to be transformative for East
Point,” said Wesley Brown, director of development, southeast for
the Vecino Group. “Together with our partners, we turned blight
into beauty. Even early on, local residents repeatedly shared how
excited they were to have this building coming back to life. And
community has been key from the beginning — not only in serving the
housing need but also in communicating civic pride and the power of
place.”
The Atlanta area remains one of America’s largest and
fastest-growing markets. Increased housing costs in what was
previously considered an affordable metro area have put pressure on
low- and middle-income families. Atlanta has experienced some of
the fastest-rising rents in the country in recent years.
“We look forward to this investment sparking additional local
economic vitality and providing relief for those being squeezed by
the Atlanta housing crisis,” said Michael Spann, executive director
for EPHA. “And residents will benefit all the more from the health
and social services that have been made available onsite.”
An $18 million investment in the Aya Tower redevelopment was
made by UnitedHealth Group through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
(LIHTC), with the remaining balance provided by other investors.
The company invested in housing tax credits for more than a
decade.
In addition to the investment for the Aya Tower housing,
UnitedHealth Group also worked to identify and recruit health
services through Grady Health System, and workforce readiness
training through Goodwill of North Georgia. These health and
workforce development services will be made available and managed
by the East Point Housing Authority in community areas within the
Aya Tower building, and at its newly purchased property nearby once
it has been redeveloped.
“Safe and affordable housing is key to health and wellness,”
said Catherine Anderson, senior vice president of health equity
strategy, UnitedHealth Group. “UnitedHealth Group is honored to
support East Point residents by increasing the availability of
housing, as well as supportive services that help ensure better
health and wellness among residents.”
As part of its redevelopment, the Aya Tower building’s exterior
will feature art to honor former East Point Mayor Patsy Jo
Hilliard. The Vecino Group and the EPHA commissioned a mural to
honor Hilliard as someone whose service had a significant impact
toward the city’s present successes.
Through her public service from 1993 through 2006, Mayor
Hilliard was instrumental in uniting the community to enable
enduring, positive impact by revitalizing the public library,
delivering the city’s first community health clinic, and fostering
relationships with civic and business leaders. Its longest-tenured
mayor to date, in 1993 she made history as the first female and
first African American to hold the office in the history of East
Point – as well in the state.
The artwork, created by Atlanta-based artist Erica Chisolm,
combines Adinkra symbols with a vibrant portrait of Mayor Hilliard,
as well as her favorite saying “be true to thyself.” The team also
included the Atlanta-based art collective Living Walls, which
specializes in large-scale, culturally inspired public art. The
seven-story piece – all painted by hand – was completed late Spring
2023.
“NAHT is honored to originate and manage UnitedHealth Group’s
investment in Aya Tower,” said Lori Little, president & CEO of
the National Affordable Housing Trust. “For over three decades,
NAHT has helped developers create and preserve affordable homes by
connecting them with impact capital investment funds. Our
partnership with UnitedHealth Group has provided much-needed
capital for quality homes and services, increasing positive health
outcomes for families and seniors. Vecino and East Point Housing
Authority are to be congratulated for restoring this much needed
housing. We are honored to be a part of this effort.”
UnitedHealth Group’s coordinated investment strategy in housing,
health and social services demonstrates a deep commitment to
advancing health equity. According to the Center on Budget and
Policy Priorities, households that struggle to pay the rent are
at a heightened risk for negative health outcomes.
About the Vecino Group
The Vecino Group is a national housing company dedicated to
building a better world, one development, one community at a time.
Each project the company undertakes must address a broader need,
set an example, give back to the community, and inspire the
professionals working on it with a sense of higher purpose. The
company has completed more than two dozen impactful housing
developments across 12 states.
About the East Point Housing Authority
The Housing Authority of the City of East Point (EPHA) is a
public body created under the Laws of the State of Georgia and in
compliance with other relevant federal and state statutes. The
primary purpose of this organization is to provide safe, decent and
affordable housing for low- income citizens of the City of East
Point, Georgia. It is the mission of the East Point Housing
Authority to provide and encourage the development of quality
affordable housing for individuals and families while promoting
self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization.
About the National Affordable Housing Trust
National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT) is a nonprofit low
income housing tax credit (LIHTC) syndicator, specialized financial
intermediary and development advisory firm. NAHT raises LIHTC
equity from national and regional investors, and provides this
equity to mission-driven developers and owners who provide quality
affordable housing, with resident-focused solutions. NAHT is a
Joint Venture of Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and Stewards of
Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF). Visit NAHT at
www.naht.org and follow @NAHTorg on X.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a health care and well-being
company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help
make the health system work better for everyone through two
distinct and complementary businesses. Optum delivers care aided by
technology and data, empowering people, partners and providers with
the guidance and tools they need to achieve better health.
UnitedHealthcare offers a full range of health benefits, enabling
affordable coverage, simplifying the health care experience, and
delivering access to high-quality care. Visit UnitedHealth Group at
www.unitedhealthgroup.com and follow UnitedHealth Group on
LinkedIn.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423780569/en/
Angela Richmond UnitedHealth Group 404-309-2697
Angela_richmond@uhc.com
Patrick McWhirt The Vecino Group 417-425-5508
patrick@vecinogroup.com
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