Livable Buckhead Launches “Live. Work. Buckhead.” to Increase Workforce Housing Access
Innovative employer-assisted housing pilot aims to reduce commutes and ease traffic congestion
ATLANTA – April 28, 2025 – Livable Buckhead, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring Buckhead’s long-term vitality, has launched a first-of-its-kind employer-assisted housing program designed to help moderate-income workers live closer to their jobs. “Live. Work. Buckhead” provides a $400 monthly rental subsidy, reducing financial strain, shortening commutes and helping alleviate traffic congestion.
Buckhead faces a severe housing affordability gap, making it nearly impossible for many workers to live in the community. A 2019 study revealed that 18,000 service-sector employees earning less than $35,000 annually were competing for just 1,500 affordable apartments — an imbalance that has only intensified in recent years.
To address this critical issue, Livable Buckhead worked with local experts in affordable housing, development and transportation to design “Live. Work. Buckhead.” The pilot initiative will provide 100 Buckhead employees with $400 in monthly rental assistance for two years, making nearby housing more attainable. Participating employers pay $200 per month, and funding from the City of Atlanta and Atlanta City Councilmember Mary Norwood covers the other half of the subsidy.
“I applaud Livable Buckhead for addressing two important Buckhead issues simultaneously: our traffic congestion with many Buckhead workers spending an inordinate amount of time in travelling to and from their Buckhead jobs and at the same time providing affordable housing for these workers to be able to live in Buckhead and be closer to their jobs,” said Norwood.
“We have to make sure that the people who work in our community — restaurant staff, teachers, healthcare workers, retail employees and others — can afford to live in Buckhead,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead. “This program benefits everyone. Workers gain financial relief and a better quality of life, while employers improve retention and recruitment. It’s a model we hope to see replicated across Atlanta.”
Livable Buckhead invited select employers to participate in “Live. Work. Buckhead.” including The Shepherd Center and Atlanta International School. “We recruited employers in industries where most employees are in the low to moderate income range,” added Starling. “The pilot will help us understand what industries a good fit for a solution like this and which ones aren’t. The idea is to test it out and then scale it; if it can work in Buckhead it can work anywhere.”
Employee response has been strong, with more than 20 people enrolled in the program and 7 moved into their Buckhead residences. Additional employers and multi-family properties are invited to join the program and can get more information by visiting livablebuckhead.com/community/live2/livework/.
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About Livable Buckhead
Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community. The organization achieves its mission by working cooperatively with individuals, public entities and private businesses to integrate sustainable strategies. Livable Buckhead implements programs related to greenspace, recycling, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, arts and culture, real estate development and land use. For more information about Livable Buckhead and its programs, visit livablebuckhead.org.
