Affordable housing construction begins

 New opportunities await many citizens of Warner Robins who could greatly benefit from the second phase of the Gateway Pointe Apartments construction. Ninety units will be available for low- to mixed-income families and military personnel attending the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center.

Development of the new affordable housing is led by the partnership of the City of Warner Robins, Warner Robins Development Authority, and Pennrose, a “recognized leader in complex mixed-income multifamily and mixed-used development and professional property management services,” according to their official website.

Many are excited as construction begins in a part of town that has not received a lot of financial assistance in recent years. The development could potentially be the start of a series of reconstruction since this will be the first ever large affordable housing complex in Warner Robins.

Amon Martin, Senior Developer of the Southeast at Pennrose, described the opportunity with high hopes. “This is a public-private partnership that provided high-quality housing to a part of the city that had lacked new housing development for decades. We are particularly proud to partner with the City and Development Authority as well as other stakeholders on this master planned/multiphase development that provides excellent housing options and services for residents of Warner Robins.”

Gateway Pointe Phase II apartments will feature 90 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Residents of the new housing complex will be able to enjoy a variety of amenities, “including a fitness center, community room, health and wellness room, and [an] outdoor community space,” according to Martin.

To qualify for the affordable units, a household must be at 50% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The AMI is the midpoint of a region’s income distribution – half of families in a region earn more than the median and half earn less than the median. Regarding the other market-rate units, families will need to provide documentation of adequate income as well as pass background and credit checks.

One of the exciting features of the new complex will be the five additional housing units reserved for active duty personnel and veterans that are participants in classes at the VECTR center right across the street on Armed Forces Boulevard. Phase I of the Gateway Pointe Apartments that was completed in December of 2019 included six units and received positive responses from the community. 

A Community Transformation Plan was enacted to follow the needs of local residents as construction begins. Martin described the plan as “one that works with local service providers to address neighborhood challenges and coordinate resources to increase access to education, job training, housing, healthcare, and transportation.”

Funding for the project was made possible by a construction loan from Bank of OZK, a permanent loan from Grandbridge, and tax credits allocated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Phase II of Gateway Pointe is projected to be complete by December 2021. For more information on units and qualification, please contact Gateway Pointe Apartments Manager Natasha Worthy at 478-919-1077.

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