Payne City housing project underway in Macon

Macon-Bibb County leaders break ground on a supportive housing project aimed at helping working families find stability

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Shovels hit the ground Wednesday morning on Davis Street in Macon’s Payne City neighborhood, as local leaders marked the start of a new supportive housing project.

Macon-Bibb County officials say the development is about more than just building homes. The plan includes one newly constructed house and one renovated property that will serve as supportive housing for families identified through the Brookdale Resource Center.

District 5 Commissioner Andrea Cooke says the investment is already making a difference in a neighborhood that has long been overlooked.

“There’s so many people in this neighborhood who really want to be seen and heard, and this is a resounding yes, we hear you,” Cooke said. “So grateful to be back here for this reason.”

Cooke added that the project is part of a broader effort to bring more affordable housing to the area.

“This is just the first of many affordable housing projects,” she said. “In a few weeks, we’ll be in Napier Heights. It’s just a wonderful thing to see this kind of investment in this district.”

The project is funded through the Macon-Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund, which focuses on helping working families who may struggle to find stable housing.

Executive Director Natalie Boyette says many families are just one unexpected event away from housing instability.

“These are families that are working, trying just to provide a better life for their families,” Boyette said. “Anyone of us is susceptible to falling on hard times. A divorce, a health crisis, or a job loss can put someone in an unstable housing condition.”

Boyette says the goal is to create a safety net for families facing those challenges while keeping them rooted in their community.

“We expect to see houses here completed in about four to five months,” she said. “We really expect to have two completed structures here in about five months.”

Leaders say keeping families in familiar neighborhoods is key to long-term success, allowing them to stay connected to schools, jobs and support systems.