Bridge Across Georgia

Affordable Housing for Older Adults

Series 4 of 4

Connecting Communities. Sharing Resources.

A safe and affordable home provides stability, independence, and peace of mind. As housing costs continue to rise, older adults living on fixed or limited incomes may find it increasingly difficult to remain in the communities they know and love.

In the final installment of our Bridge Across Georgia — Athens senior resource series, we are highlighting verified housing communities, public programs, property-tax resources, and organizations that help older adults explore affordable rental housing and maintain long-term housing stability.

Featured Organization

Athens Housing Authority

The Athens Housing Authority provides public housing and other affordable-housing opportunities for qualifying residents, including older adults. Its mission includes providing secure, affordable housing that supports independence for elderly residents, wage earners, and families.

The Housing Authority does not administer the Housing Choice Voucher program in Athens. Voucher information is provided through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Official Website: Athens Housing Authority

Public Housing Information: Public Housing Admissions

Verified Senior Housing Communities

Denney Tower

Denney Tower is an Athens Housing Authority senior-citizen high-rise offering efficiency and one-bedroom apartments. The community includes central air conditioning, laundry facilities, building security, and planned resident activities. Applicants must meet Athens Housing Authority eligibility and admissions requirements.

Official Community Page: Denney Tower

Athena Gardens

Athena Gardens is an affordable senior-housing community for adults age 62 and older. The operator states that qualifying residents generally pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent. Accessible apartment options are also available.

Official Community Page: Athena Gardens Affordable Housing

Lanier Gardens

Lanier Gardens is a nonprofit senior-living community serving adults age 62 and older. A portion of its apartments is reserved for qualifying residents with low or moderate incomes, with HUD rental and utility assistance available to eligible households. The official website currently notes that Lanier Gardens has a waiting list and requires a completed application before a person can be added.

Official Community Page: Lanier Gardens

Affordable-Housing Information: Lanier Gardens Affordable Housing

Columbia Brookside Senior Residences

Columbia Brookside is a mixed-income senior community for adults age 55 and older. The development includes affordable and market-rate residences, so applicants should confirm current income qualifications, rental rates, and availability directly through the community.

Official Community Page: Columbia Brookside Senior Residences

Rental Assistance

Georgia Department of Community Affairs — Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher program helps qualifying very-low-income households—including older adults and people with disabilities—rent housing in the private market.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs currently states that its tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists are closed. Residents should monitor DCA's official waiting-list page for future openings and avoid third-party advertisements claiming that applications are open or that payment can secure placement on a waiting list. DCA does not charge an application fee.

Program Website: Housing Choice Voucher Program

Current Waiting-List Information: DCA Waiting List

Affordable Rental and Homeownership Resources

Athens Land Trust

Athens Land Trust develops and preserves permanently affordable housing through affordable homeownership and rental opportunities. Its community land-trust model helps qualifying first-time homebuyers purchase homes while a renewable ground lease helps preserve affordability for future households.

Athens Land Trust also manages a limited number of affordable rental properties for qualifying households. The organization is currently accepting rental applications but reports no current vacancies and is operating with a waiting list.

These programs are not limited to older adults, but qualifying seniors may explore them if the housing model meets their needs.

Official Website: Athens Land Trust

Affordable Housing: Athens Land Trust Affordable Housing

Affordable Rental Options: Affordable Rental Options

Athens-Clarke County Housing & Community Development

Athens-Clarke County coordinates federal and local affordable-housing investments, including HOME funding, preservation initiatives, homeowner rehabilitation, affordable rental development, and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations. Residents generally access assistance through the organization administering each funded project rather than receiving funding directly from the county.

Official Website: Athens-Clarke County Housing & Community Development

Affordable Housing Information: Athens-Clarke County Affordable Housing

Property-Tax Relief for Older Homeowners

Athens-Clarke County Homestead Exemptions

Athens-Clarke County offers homestead-exemption categories that may reduce property taxes for qualifying homeowners, including certain exemptions based on age, income, disability, veteran status, or surviving-spouse status.

The county lists specific provisions for homeowners age 62 and older and additional provisions for some homeowners age 65 and older. Eligibility differs by exemption, so homeowners should review the official requirements before applying.

Official Information: Athens-Clarke County Homestead Exemptions

Future Affordable Senior Housing

Classic City Heights

The Athens Housing Authority lists a proposed project known as Classic City Heights, which is planned to include a 68-unit elderly housing site. Because it remains a potential development rather than an available housing community, residents should follow the Housing Authority's official development information for future updates.

Official Development Updates: Athens Housing Authority — Potential New Developments

Before You Apply

Affordable-housing programs may request:

• Photo identification

• Proof of age

• Social Security or retirement-income documentation

• Proof of household income and assets

• Rental history

• Citizenship or eligible immigration documentation

• Disability documentation when requesting an accessible unit or accommodation

Waiting lists, income limits, rental assistance, and apartment availability can change. Always use the organization's official website to confirm current information.

How The Bridge United Can Help

The Bridge United helps individuals and families identify trusted organizations, locate official program information, and prepare questions before contacting a housing provider. We do not administer these programs or determine eligibility, but we are here to help residents find the right place to begin.

Completing the Athens Senior Resource Series

This concludes our four-part Bridge Across Georgia — Athens senior resource series:

Series 1: Helping Seniors Stay Safely at Home

Series 2: Transportation, Meals & Everyday Support

Series 3: Benefits, Medicare & Caregiver Resources

Series 4: Affordable Housing for Older Adults

We hope these guides provide older adults, caregivers, and families with clear starting points for finding trusted resources throughout Athens and Northeast Georgia.

Research Note

Information was verified through official government, housing-authority, and organization websites at the time of publication. Funding, eligibility, rental rates, waiting lists, and availability may change. Please visit each official website for the most current information before applying.

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