The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and the Housing Authority of DeKalb County (HADC) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Kensington Station transit-oriented development (TOD).

The 4.3-acre site south of the rail station will feature 259 units of affordable senior and workforce family housing, HADC’s new headquarters, community space and amenities, and convenient access to MARTA bus and rail service.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on enhancing the lives of residents through affordable, sustainable development, with transit accessibility at its core. We are grateful to DeKalb County and the Housing Authority of DeKalb County for their pivotal roles in this development and extend our appreciation to all stakeholders who share our vision for a more accessible and equitable region,” said MARTA GM/CEO Collie Greenwood.

MARTA’s Kensington Station TOD

The development includes the following affordable housing components:

• Kensington Pointe - Senior Living Apartments: A 74-unit senior living community, which will be 100% affordable, reserved for residents 55 and older with incomes between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

• Kensington Place - Workforce Housing: 185-unit family community. This workforce housing will be reserved for families with an average AMI of 100%.

The TOD will also include 15,000 square feet of newly constructed office space located at the intersection of Kensington Drive and Memorial Drive. The offices will be occupied by the companies of the Affiliated Resources Group, which includes the Housing Authority of DeKalb County, Resident Services Corporation, and PTS Consulting Group.

MARTA’s TOD Program aims to create density around bus and rail services, increase revenue and ridership, and develop affordable and sustainable housing. The Kensington TOD supports these goals and the rail station’s designation as a “commuter town center.”

Kensington Station has undergone recent enhancements including the opening of two StationSoccer pitches last summer, a MARTA Market that offers fresh produce for sale every Thursday, and a community garden. MARTA and DeKalb County also recently completed the Kensington Station Master Plan for TOD for the 35 acres surrounding the station.