2025 Annual Report
CEO and Board Chair Letter
This year’s Annual Report tells a story bigger than numbers on a page. It is the story of what becomes possible when a city decides that affordable homeownership is worth fighting for, investing in, and building toward.
Across Atlanta, we saw community show up in powerful ways. Partners helped sponsor the construction of 50 new homes. Volunteers and supporters brought energy and visibility to milestones that reminded us why this work matters, from building frames outside the Georgia Capitol to spark conversation and awareness, to standing alongside neighbors and advocates who believe stable housing strengthens our entire state. Advocacy is not an “extra” to this mission, it is a vital tool for change. When more voices speak up, more doors open.
We also witnessed how belonging can be built, not assumed. From our first Pride Build, resulting in two homes built in Browns Mill Village, to new community events that invited Atlantans to celebrate, connect, and rally around the cause, we are continuing to grow a model of community building. That means more than planning neighborhoods, like Browns Mill Village, thoughtfully. It means building a community of people who care, a community of partners committed for the long haul, and a community of homeowners who are supported, celebrated, and positioned to thrive.
Our shared vision to transform lives is evident within this Annual Report. You will find moments that moved us, like honoring excellence and resilience through our Thrive Award recipient, Jameka Holmes. You will also see new traditions taking root, including Shop the Halls, a ReStore event that uplifted our homeowners and their business ventures, that expand how Atlanta Habitat engages, invites, and inspires.
Thank you for being part of this work. We hope you will read the stories that follow and see yourself in them. Because every community we build is proof of what we can do when we build together.
Our Impact in 2025
From Milestone to Momentum: Browns Mill Village
Browns Mill Village marks a defining milestone for Atlanta Habitat: our first planned development and a new model for how we can scale affordable homeownership in Atlanta. As a joint venture with a for-profit builder, this groundbreaking partnership expanded our capacity to deliver high-quality, affordable homes, while maintaining the values that have always anchored our work.
This community introduced three new floor plans, Atlanta Habitat’s first model homes, and a refreshed approach to neighborhood planning that balances design, sustainability, and affordability. With 134 total homesites, Browns Mill Village includes 75 single-family homes built by Atlanta Habitat—3–4 bedroom, single- and two-story craftsman-style homes ranging from 1,400–1,600 square feet—alongside 59 townhomes developed by Cityscape Housing and Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, creating even more pathways to affordable homeownership.
Browns Mill Village is more than a completed project; it is a blueprint for what is next. From the way we collaborated to the way we designed for long-term stability and community connection, Browns Mill Village reflects Atlanta Habitat’s future: building community together.
Building on this momentum, Atlanta Habitat will launch our next planned development in 2026: Langston Park in Sylvan Hills. This new community will include a broader mix of affordable housing options, featuring single-family homes alongside 2-, 4-, and 6-unit townhomes. With modern exterior elements and future phases introducing additional 2- and 3-story layouts, Langston Park will expand opportunity for even more families. We will kick off construction by building the first 24 homes in just one week during the Carter Work Project in May 2026.
A Breakout Year for the ReStore
Atlanta Habitat’s ReStore had a standout year! One that reflected both meaningful growth and the heart behind why we do this work.
In South Fulton, we proudly renamed the South Fulton Operations Center as the Dan Maddox Operations Center, honoring our colleague Dan Maddox, whose life and legacy continue to shape our team. The dedication took place on Dan’s “Habi-versary,” making the moment even more personal and powerful. This was a tribute not only to his years of service, but to the spirit he brought to Atlanta Habitat every day.
That same location also earned major recognition across the community: the South Fulton ReStore received the IMPACT Award for “Non-Profit of the Year” from the City of South Fulton. This honor celebrates the ReStore’s role as more than a retail space, but as a community asset that supports sustainability, extends the life of donated goods, and generates critical funding to help Atlanta Habitat build and preserve affordable homes.
And this year, the ReStore expanded its reach in a new way: we went online. Our online ReStore now offers a wide variety of items beyond traditional home goods, including clothing, electronics, and more, making it easier than ever for shoppers to find great deals while supporting a mission that builds stronger neighborhoods.
From honoring a beloved teammate to earning citywide recognition to growing our digital storefront, the ReStore continues to prove that every purchase can help build something bigger.
Rooted
Rooted, Atlanta Habitat’s documentary spotlighting the power of home and community, took an exciting step forward this year with its first public screening at Inside the House. The response was immediate and unforgettable. Audience members were moved emotionally as the film captured the deeper “why” behind our work: the people, the neighborhoods, and the ripple effect that affordable homeownership creates across Atlanta.
More than a documentary, Rooted has become a storytelling catalyst, helping viewers better understand what is at stake in the affordable housing crisis and what is possible when a city comes together to build opportunity. The screening sparked fresh energy, meaningful conversations, and renewed commitment from supporters who left feeling inspired and invigorated about Atlanta Habitat’s role in expanding affordable homeownership throughout our region.
If you are interested in a screening of Rooted, visit atlantahabitat.org/rooted.
Building with the Next Generation
Atlanta Habitat's inaugural Youth Day Build, sponsored by Wells Fargo, brought the energy of Atlanta's next generation straight to the front lines of community impact. This summer, 75 college students gathered for a day of service across the city, powered by a $75,000 donation from Wells Fargo and a shared belief that young leaders can help shape a better Atlanta.
Volunteers served across four locations, supporting two new home builds, a library clean-up at Humphries Elementary School, and a Brush with Kindness home preservation project that included pressure washing and exterior painting for a local resident.
The day also spotlighted powerful community support, with featured footage and remarks from Atlanta Habitat CEO Rosalyn Merrick, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, NFL legend Harry Douglas, and Freddie Falcon.
Program partners included Atlanta Falcons HBCU Fellows, the Georgia Building Trades Academy YouthBuild program, and participants from the Mayor's Scholar Program and Summer Youth Employment Program, showcasing what is possible when a city invests in youth, service, and the future of affordable homeownership.
Legacy in Motion: Turning Vision Into Opportunity
Atlanta Habitat's Vision. Goals. Action! (VGA) program is designed to help families build more than stability, it helps them build legacy. This year's VGA Launch event, Legacy in Motion, brought that purpose to life in a high-energy celebration of entrepreneurship, community, and generational impact.
Created and produced by Atlanta Habitat Education Specialist Gabbie McGee-Kelly, the evening blended inspiration and innovation through powerful storytelling, interactive experiences, and a "shark tank"-style pitch competition that showed what's possible when people are equipped to dream and given the tools to pursue it.
The night culminated in the Big Pitch Competition, where three finalists presented their businesses to a panel of judges and a live audience: Phileena Daniel of Clever Beauty Braids, Morgan T. Black of Queen Sugar, and Regina Holloway of Bodied by Thrift. Phileena Daniel was crowned the winner, and for the first time in Launch history, there was a tie for second place. Morgan T. Black and Regina Holloway both earned runner-up honors to rousing applause.
Judges included local leaders with deep experience in entrepreneurship and coaching: Brandon Butler (CEO of ButterATL), Dr. Kym Harris-Lee (Executive Coach and leadership strategist), and Yvette Humphries (Pinnacle Financial Partners and the PEER Center).
Beyond the pitches, Legacy in Motion created space for connection and growth, from Accelerator Hour insights to the Connections Exchange Marketplace featuring local vendors and past Launch winners. Guests reflected in the LaunchCam Booth, relaxed in the ReStore-furnished Legacy Lounge, and joined the fun with Pin It to Win It! A reminder that community building is also about shared joy.
Legacy in Motion captured the heart of VGA: when families have stability, support, and a community behind them, they can build futures that last.
Sponsor Spotlights
Atlanta Women’s Build
Now in its 22nd build, Atlanta Women’s Build brings women from across the city together to champion safe, stable homeownership. This grassroots tradition reflects the power of women helping women. In 2025, volunteers built alongside homebuyer, Makeda.
Delta Airlines
In celebration of Delta’s 100th anniversary, Delta deepened its commitment to service by funding four homes and showing up strong on our build sites. With support that also kept volunteers refreshed in partnership with Coca-Cola, Delta helped four homebuyers step into a new chapter of stability and community at Browns Mill Village.
The Home Depot
The Home Depot helped make affordable homeownership possible by sponsoring three homes this year, with teams across departments like Marketing and IT stepping up to support the work. Their unwavering investment reflects their shared belief in stable housing and how it strengthens families and communities.
Novelis
Novelis partnered with Atlanta Habitat to build two homes this year. One was made possible through the impact of aluminum can recycling across Atlanta. Their support turns everyday sustainability into real, lasting opportunities for families.
Pride Build
Our inaugural Pride Build brought organizations from across Atlanta together to celebrate love, belonging, and community. Thanks to generous sponsors across Atlanta coming together, two homes were dedicated for two aspiring homeowners, building a more inclusive future.
Publix
Since 1998, Publix has supported 28 Atlanta Habitat builds, creating a legacy of partnership and impact. This year, that commitment helped homebuyer Jayla move closer to a dream home for herself and her children.
Supreme Lending
Supreme Lending continues to be a consistent, joy-filled partner on the build site, helping turn homeownership dreams into reality year after year. This year, their commitment helped build two homes for Atlanta families.
Volunteer of the Year: The People Who Keep Building With Us
Atlanta Habitat's volunteers do not just help us build homes, they help us build community. This year, we celebrated three individuals whose commitment, consistency, and enthusiasm have strengthened our mission in powerful ways. Their stories are best told in their own words, so we're inviting you to watch the videos and meet the people behind the impact.
Davey, our Volunteer of the Year, dedicates most Saturdays to Atlanta Habitat as a skilled construction supervisor, guiding teams, teaching new skills and helping volunteers understand everything that goes into homeownership beyond the build. He also serves as co-chair of our PRIDE Build, helping launch and grow this new initiative that brings people from all walks of life together around a shared purpose.
Robert found his home in the ReStore, where his engineering skills keep donated items in circulation, repairing, troubleshooting and making sure what is given can be used again. Just as meaningful, he found connection: a team that sees him, values him, and welcomes him back, proving that community is built as much behind the scenes as it is on the construction site.
And Steve, recipient of our first-ever Legacy Award, has served selflessly and significantly for more than a decade. From weekly build days to dedication day tears, his steady presence has helped transform generations, and reminds us that the deepest impact is often the most consistent.
Watch the videos to hear their journeys and see why volunteerism is at the heart of how we build.
It’s Okay to Dream Bigger: Jameka Holmes’ Thrive Story
Ten years ago, Jameka Holmes became an Atlanta Habitat homeowner and in her words, it changed what she believed was possible. Before that, homeownership felt out of reach. The rising cost of rent made it difficult to save, and the idea of affording a down payment felt impossible. Jameka has shared that she nearly gave up, discouraged by a system that made stability feel like a luxury.
But once she stepped into an affordable mortgage and a home of her own, something shifted. "It's ok to dream bigger than where you are," Jameka says, and she's lived that truth ever since.
Homeownership did not just give Jameka a front door. It gave her security and a community. She describes a neighborhood where people look out for one another, where neighbors of different ages and backgrounds connect, talk outside, and keep watch when someone drives by. "This home gives me security," she explains. "It's mine. I worked really hard for it."
With stability as her foundation, Jameka built momentum. In 2018, she won Atlanta Habitat's first Vision. Goals. Action! Launch business competition, helping fuel her growth as an entrepreneur. Today, she runs a thriving event planning business and uses creativity, connection, and word-of-mouth to serve nonprofits, churches, and major clients, including UPS, PetSmart, and Atlanta Habitat.
Jameka's journey is what thriving is all about: not only building homeowners, but building community, the kind that helps people rise, expand, and become even more than they once imagined.
Welcome Home Village: A New Beginning Built on Partnership
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity built its first-ever transitional housing initiative on Atlanta's Westside with the unveiling of Welcome Home Village, a powerful new model of community building designed to support women returning home after incarceration.
Built in just six months, Welcome Home Village is a 16-bedroom, four-building community located near the campus of City of Refuge. This project was made possible through a deep partnership between Atlanta Habitat, City of Refuge, and long-time supporter Peachtree Road United Methodist Church (PRUMC). This is a collaboration rooted in dignity, healing, and a shared commitment to housing justice.
Welcome Home Village is designed to serve up to 20 women transitioning back into society. More than a safe place to live, it provides a bridge to stability through access to City of Refuge's holistic wraparound services, including trauma counseling, job training, and family reunification programs. With stable housing as the foundation, residents can focus on restoration and rebuilding their lives within a supportive community.
The need is urgent. Formerly incarcerated people are far more likely to experience homelessness than the general public, and women face even higher rates, making safe, affordable housing one of the most critical factors in successful reentry.
PRUMC's long-standing commitment helped bring this vision to life. Since 1989, the church has helped build 55 homes and supported more than 60 Atlanta Habitat projects, continuing a legacy of partnership that expands what's possible when community comes together with purpose.
At the dedication, the impact was tangible: after hearing from guest speakers, several women received keys to their new homes. Members of Atlanta Habitat's Construction team looked on proudly as residents cried tears of joy and gratitude, marking the start of something bigger than a housing project: a place to heal, belong, and begin again.
Giving Tuesday: Building More Than Homes
Giving Tuesday reminded us that the holidays aren't just a season of giving but a season of building. Building stability. Building opportunity. Building a city where more children get to grow up with the security of home.
Our 2025 Giving Tuesday campaign, "Through a Child's Eyes," invited Atlanta to see affordable homeownership from the perspective that matters most: the kids who live the impact every day. Throughout November, children from Atlanta Habitat homeowner families shared what "home" has meant in their lives. Stories that put heart and clarity to the why behind our work. From siblings Mekhi and Angel, excited to have bedrooms of their own for the first time, to Jazhara, celebrating her first Thanksgiving in her family's home, these moments captured what we're truly building: not just houses, but communities---and community.
Because when a family moves into an affordable home, it changes more than an address. It changes what's possible.
This critical funding offsets real construction costs and expands how many families we can serve. For perspective, Atlanta Habitat homeowners earn an average of $51,000 annually, and our program helps make homeownership attainable through 0% interest mortgages with monthly payments around $1,000 for quality 3--4 bedroom homes. While these homes are valued at approximately $335,000--$355,000, the out-of-pocket construction cost to build each one is at least $200,000.
No matter the size, every donation helps close that gap so more families can put down roots, more children can dream bigger, and more neighborhoods can thrive for generations.
Capitol Build: Advocacy in Action at the Georgia State Capitol
Atlanta Habitat helped make history at the inaugural Habitat for Humanity of Georgia Capitol Build, a bold, public demonstration of what it looks like when advocacy moves from conversation to action.
On the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol, more than 100 volunteers, Habitat affiliates, legislators, sponsors, and community leaders came together to raise the first walls of a Habitat home, right in front of the building where policies are shaped. It was a powerful symbol of unity and urgency, amplifying a message Atlanta Habitat believes to its core: everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.
Atlanta Habitat played a leading role in making the build possible. This inaugural Capitol Build benefited an Atlanta Habitat family, and our team took the lead on key construction responsibilities, constructing the walls, moving materials, and managing the critical components of the build, to ensure the day ran smoothly, safely, and successfully.
More than a build, the Capitol Build was a statement. Every beam lifted and every nail driven represented the momentum needed to address housing affordability across Georgia, because stable housing strengthens families, fuels economic mobility, and builds healthier communities.
This is what advocacy in action looks like: neighbors, nonprofits, and decision-makers standing side by side, building awareness and building partnership so the path to home can be within reach for more families across our state.
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A Seat at the Table: Women Leading Atlanta’s Housing Future
Real change takes more than plans and policies, it takes relationships, honest dialogue, and leaders willing to make space for the conversations that move a city forward. This year, Atlanta Habitat launched a new convening series, A Seat at the Table, created to elevate deeper, change-making conversations around Atlanta's urgent affordable housing needs.
This discussion featured Atlanta Habitat CEO Rosalyn Merrick and Atlanta Housing CEO Terri Lee in a candid conversation about leadership, purpose, and what it means to build stability for Atlanta families. Though their organizations serve different parts of the housing continuum, homeownership and rental assistance, both leaders shared a common truth: having a home is foundational. It is where healing begins, where children thrive, and where families can finally build toward something bigger.
Moderated by Crystal Edmonson of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, an experienced philanthropy journalist and host of the "On Leadership" podcast, the conversation explored how faith, childhood experiences, and bold ideas shaped Rosalyn and Terri's journeys to the CEO seat. It also highlighted what is possible when women leaders connect authentically, share perspective, and lead with both conviction and collaboration.
Filmed at The Lola, an inclusive workspace designed for women to connect and collaborate, the setting reflected the spirit of the conversation itself: intentional, energizing, and community-centered.
As Rosalyn shared afterward, the moment was "a favorite of the year," a reminder that building affordable housing solutions also means building community among the people committed to making them real.
Watch the video to take your seat at the table with two leaders shaping Atlanta's future.
Shop the Halls: A Holiday Market Built by Community
Shop the Halls, our first-ever outdoor holiday marketplace, quickly became one of the season's brightest highlights.
Inspired by Atlanta's love for festival-style markets, Shop the Halls celebrated the holidays while uplifting 18 local entrepreneurs who were all Atlanta Habitat homeowners. The energy of the day was undeniable, and the mission was clear: we are not only building neighborhoods, we are building community and creating spaces where homeowners are supported, seen, and positioned to thrive.
The marketplace overflowed with creativity and craft. Vendors brought an incredible variety of goods, including handmade jewelry, candles, clothing, shoes, books, home décor, plants, skincare products, original art, handcrafted gifts, tumblers, journals, wreaths, centerpieces, and more, turning the ReStore parking lot into a vibrant hub of local talent.
Behind the scenes, the Atlanta ReStore team worked tirelessly for weeks, processing and merchandising Christmas décor, preparing vendor spaces, and even creating a pop-up online store to expand the reach of the event. Inside the ReStore, the celebration continued with a full day of activities: kids enjoyed live face painting and a custom Atlanta Habitat coloring book, while adults joined in with complimentary popcorn, coffee, cocoa, and an in-store scavenger hunt featuring hidden ornaments redeemable for ReStore gift cards.
"This was such a fun event for us to host for the Reynoldstown community. We hope to make this an annual event!" said ReStore Director Megan McCabe.
Missed the event? You can still shop the ReStore online anytime at shopatlantarestore.org.
2025 Board of Directors
Jeremy Silverman, Chair
Alston & Bird LLP
Isabelle Helms, Interim Vice Chair
Cox Automotive
Althea Broughton, General Counsel
Arnold Golden Gregory, LLP
Christopher Goode, Secretary
Goode Van Slyke Architecture
Cecilia Bailey, Treasurer
Regions Bank
Krystal Barnett
Cox Communications, Inc.
Susan Boyd
Miller+Boyd
Stuart Bruening
JE Dunn Construction Company
Catherine Dixon
G. H. Smart & Company, LLC
Keisha Duck
BlueLinx
Robert Golden
3M
Stephen Harrison
Deloitte
Dewayne King
Fifth Third Bank
Bryan Langley
Floor & Decor
Lillie Louis-Fils
Bank of America
Amber Murray
Jamestown, L.P.
David Neal
Georgia-Pacific
Chad Plunkett
PulteGroup
Sarah Post
The Home Depot
Niya Randall
Gold Green Collectives
R. Kirk Rich
Avison Young
Greg Schlicht
Novelis
Courtney Showell, Sr.
PwC
Matt Sparks
Delta Air Lines
Advisory Council
Isabelle Helms, Chair
Cox Automotive
Brantley Barrow
Community Volunteer
Susan Bixler
Bixler Consulting Group
Jorge de la Cova
Community Volunteer
William M. Earnest
Community Volunteer
Cindy Ethridge
Warren Averett LLC
Adrienne Findley
Community Volunteer
Catie Mannarino
Delta Air Lines
Kirk Ossewaarde
Community Volunteer
Linda Parrish
Community Volunteer
Jeff Pierce
Berkeley Capital Partners
Mark Pighini
Deloitte US
Barbara Reid
Non-Profit Accounting Consultant
Kristina Kopf Thomas
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
Ken Thrasher
Bennett Thrasher LLP
Alison Drane Waterson
Wood Partners
