Forest Cove Apartments in Atlanta: What Happened and What to Know Now

If you search for “Forest Cove Apartments Atlanta,” you’ll find a mix of news, court cases, and government announcements—not a typical apartment search result. That’s because Forest Cove Apartments, once a large subsidized housing complex in southeast Atlanta, became one of the city’s most high-profile examples of unsafe and unmaintained housing.

This guide explains, in clear terms, what Forest Cove was, why it was condemned and demolished, what it means for residents and renters in Atlanta, and where to look for safe, affordable housing now.

Forest Cove Apartments: A Quick Overview

Forest Cove Apartments was a large apartment complex in the Thomasville Heights area of southeast Atlanta, near the intersection of Jonesboro Road SE and McDonough Boulevard SE, not far from the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary and the South River.

It was:

• A subsidized housing community, sometimes described as “Section 8” project-based housing
• Known locally for serious maintenance problems, code violations, and crime concerns
• The subject of legal and city enforcement actions that ultimately led to its condemnation and demolition

If you are looking for apartments in Atlanta, especially affordable ones, it’s important to know that Forest Cove is no longer a place you can lease, and it became a turning point in how the city talks about substandard housing.

Is Forest Cove Apartments Still Open?

No. Forest Cove Apartments is not open for leasing.

Key points:

• The complex was condemned by the City of Atlanta after years of code enforcement actions.
• Residents were relocated with assistance from the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) and the City of Atlanta.
• The property has been demolished or is in the process of complete demolition, with plans for future redevelopment discussed publicly by local officials.

If you see old online listings implying that Forest Cove is available:

• Those listings are outdated.
• You should not rely on them for current rental availability.

Why Was Forest Cove So Controversial?

Forest Cove became a symbol in Atlanta of what can go wrong when large, older, subsidized complexes are not properly maintained.

Residents and city inspections documented:

• Severe maintenance issues: broken windows, leaking roofs, mold, pest infestations, plumbing issues, and damaged common areas
• Safety and security concerns: reports of crime, lack of adequate lighting or secure access
• Repeated code violations: city inspectors citing the property for ongoing habitability problems

Over time, the City of Atlanta Municipal Court, city code enforcement, and housing advocates pushed for stronger action. Eventually, the complex was ordered condemned, and a plan was developed to move residents out and tear the property down.

For someone in Atlanta researching Forest Cove, it’s less about “Should I live here?” and more about:

• What does this situation say about housing standards in Atlanta?
• What protections and options exist for tenants in similar conditions?

What Happened to Former Forest Cove Residents?

Many households who lived at Forest Cove depended on subsidized rent and could not simply move into high-priced Atlanta apartments on their own.

As part of the relocation effort:

• Residents were offered assistance to move to other apartments in Atlanta and surrounding areas.
• Many received Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 vouchers) or other support through Atlanta Housing and partner agencies.
• Some relocated to private-market apartments, others to different subsidized communities.

Anyone who lived at Forest Cove and still needs help should consider:

• Contacting Atlanta Housing to check their current status, voucher information, or eligibility.
• Connecting with local legal aid if they have unresolved issues related to their tenancy or relocation.

Where Forest Cove Was Located in Atlanta

Forest Cove sat in southeast Atlanta, in the Thomasville Heights / South Atlanta area.

General location context:

• East of Jonesboro Road SE
• Near McDonough Boulevard SE
• South of I-20 and east of Downtown Atlanta

The area around Forest Cove includes:

• Residential neighborhoods with a mix of single-family homes and apartments
• Proximity to Moreland Avenue SE, South Atlanta, and East Atlanta
• Access to bus routes that connect to MARTA rail lines, though walkability and transit access varies block by block

If you’re searching for apartments near where Forest Cove used to be, you’re essentially looking in or around Thomasville Heights, South Atlanta, and surrounding southeast Atlanta communities.

If You’re Looking for Apartments in Southeast Atlanta

Even though Forest Cove is gone, the need for affordable rentals in southeast Atlanta remains very real. When you search, it’s important to:

1. Verify That the Property Actually Exists and Is Active

Some online listings copy old data and never update. To avoid this:

• Drive past the address if you’re local, or use a current street-view service to confirm the property still stands and looks active.
• Call the leasing office phone number and ask direct questions:
  • “Are you currently leasing?”
  • “What units are available and when?”
  • “Is this property under renovation or redevelopment?”

2. Check Condition, Not Just Price

Forest Cove showed that low rent can come with high costs if the building is not maintained. When you tour any Atlanta apartment:

• Look closely at hallways, stairwells, and common areas.
• Ask about:
  • Pest control schedules
  • Maintenance response times
  • Security measures (lighting, controlled entry, cameras)
• If something feels unsafe or neglected on your tour, it may be a red flag.

3. Use Atlanta-Focused Affordable Housing Resources

For lower-cost apartments in Atlanta (including southeast), consider:

• Atlanta Housing (AHA)

  • Administers Housing Choice Vouchers and some project-based properties.
  • Main office (check current details before visiting):
    • 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
    • Atlanta, GA 30303
    • Main phone (widely published): 404-892-4700

• Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

  • Oversees some affordable housing programs statewide, including metro Atlanta.
  • Main office (mailing/administrative):
    • 60 Executive Park South NE
    • Atlanta, GA 30329
    • Phone: 404-679-4840

• Fulton County and City of Atlanta agencies

  • For emergency help, homeless prevention, or rapid rehousing, you can contact United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 service by dialing 2-1-1 from most phones.

Tenant Rights and Unsafe Housing in Atlanta

The Forest Cove story also raises a bigger issue: What if you’re living in poor conditions right now in Atlanta?

While this isn’t legal advice, there are general options and common steps tenants in Atlanta often consider:

Recognize Habitability Problems

Severe issues may include:

• No running water, heat, or working electricity (when not due to your unpaid bill)
• Sewage leaks, major mold growth, or ongoing infestations
• Broken windows, doors, or locks that impact safety
• Dangerous structural problems (collapsing ceilings, rotten floors)

In Georgia, landlords typically must provide safe, habitable housing. Persistent, serious problems that a landlord refuses to address can sometimes rise to a level where legal help is appropriate.

Document Everything

If you’re in an Atlanta rental and facing issues:

• Take dated photos and videos of problems.
• Keep copies of written requests to management or your landlord (email, letters, texts).
• Note dates and times of any responses or lack of response.

This kind of documentation was important in building the case around Forest Cove and is often useful for tenants elsewhere in the city.

Contact Local Help

For renters in Atlanta who believe their housing is unsafe, common support options include:

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society

  • Assists low-income residents with housing and other civil legal issues.
  • Central office (verify before visiting):
    • 54 Ellis St NE
    • Atlanta, GA 30303
    • Phone: 404-524-5811

• Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)

  • Runs tenant advocacy and eviction defense programs for qualifying tenants.
  • Main office (verify current info):
    • 54 Ellis St NE, Suite 100
    • Atlanta, GA 30303
    • General phone (commonly listed): 404-521-0790

• City of Atlanta Code Enforcement / ATL311

  • You can call 3-1-1 within city limits or 404-546-0311 to report potential code violations in a rental property located in the City of Atlanta.

These organizations can help you understand your options if your situation resembles some of what was reported at Forest Cove.

How Forest Cove Affects Future Housing in Atlanta

For someone living in or moving to Atlanta, Forest Cove matters because it:

• Highlighted gaps in enforcement for large, older apartment complexes.
• Drew attention to the need for more safe, affordable housing, especially on the south and southeast sides of the city.
• Prompted conversations about redevelopment, displacement, and how to avoid repeating the same problems with new buildings.

If you’re evaluating an apartment anywhere in Atlanta—whether in Midtown, Buckhead, Southwest Atlanta, or the Eastside—you can apply lessons from Forest Cove:

• Don’t assume a property is fine because it’s subsidized or large.
• Don’t assume it’s fine just because it’s privately owned.
• Focus on maintenance, management responsiveness, and safety, not only rent and location.

Simple Checklist for Evaluating an Atlanta Apartment

Here’s a quick, Forest Cove–inspired checklist you can use when touring apartments in Atlanta:

✅ Tip: In Atlanta, it’s often worth visiting a property at night as well to assess lighting, noise, and overall feel.

Key Takeaways for “Forest Cove Apartments Atlanta”

• Forest Cove Apartments is no longer a functioning rental community. It was condemned and demolished after extensive code and habitability problems.
• If you find listings for Forest Cove online, assume they are outdated and verify any property in person or by phone.
• Former residents were relocated with support from Atlanta Housing and partner agencies, and those still in need can reach out to Atlanta Housing, local legal aid, or social service organizations.
• For anyone renting in Atlanta today, Forest Cove is a reminder to prioritize safety, maintenance, and management quality, and to know that tenant help and advocacy resources do exist in the city.
• When searching for apartments—especially affordable ones in southeast Atlanta—use local agencies, on-the-ground verification, and a careful eye to avoid unsafe or unstable housing situations.

This context should help you understand what “Forest Cove Apartments Atlanta” refers to today and guide your next steps if you are looking for housing or navigating rental issues anywhere in the Atlanta area.