Bowen Homes in Atlanta: History, Redevelopment, and What It Means for Residents

If you search for “Bowen Homes Atlanta,” you’re most likely trying to understand what happened to this former public housing community, where it was, what’s there now, and how it fits into the larger picture of housing and neighborhoods on Atlanta’s Westside.

This guide breaks that down in plain language, with a focus on what Atlanta residents, visitors, and potential movers need to know today.

Where Was Bowen Homes in Atlanta?

Bowen Homes was a large public housing project located in Northwest Atlanta, in the rodney cook sr. park / Carey Park / Bankhead / Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway area.

• General area: Northwest Atlanta, inside the I-285 perimeter
• Nearby corridors: Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, James Jackson Pkwy NW
• Closest major highways: I-20 and I-285 via Hollowell Pkwy or Hamilton E. Holmes Dr

Today, if you drive around this part of West Atlanta, you’ll find a mix of:

• Older single-family homes
• Newer infill construction
• Vacant and redeveloping land where Bowen Homes once stood
• Industrial and commercial pockets along Hollowell Pkwy

Bowen Homes itself has been demolished, so you won’t see the old high-density public housing buildings that used to define the area.

A Short History of Bowen Homes

Understanding Bowen Homes helps make sense of how Atlanta’s housing landscape has changed.

Origins as a Public Housing Community

Bowen Homes was built as a large public housing project for low-income families. Like many older housing projects in Atlanta, it consisted mainly of:

• Multi-family, low-rise apartment-style buildings
• Concentrated, income-restricted housing in one defined site
• Minimal integration with surrounding mixed-income neighborhoods

Over time, the property—like several other Atlanta Housing Authority communities—struggled with:

• Aging buildings and infrastructure
• Limited access to economic opportunities
• Safety concerns and disinvestment in the surrounding area

Demolition and Shift in Housing Policy

Bowen Homes was ultimately closed and demolished, as Atlanta moved away from traditional “project-style” public housing toward mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopment.

In practice, this shift meant:

• Demolishing large, isolated public housing sites like Bowen Homes
• Providing residents with housing vouchers or relocation support to more dispersed housing
• Planning for future redevelopment of the land with a mix of uses and incomes, instead of only public housing units

For Atlanta as a whole, Bowen Homes is often mentioned as part of the city’s broader strategy to:

• Reduce concentrated poverty
• Encourage new investment in the Westside
• Rebuild older sites with more integrated, neighborhood-friendly designs

What’s on the Bowen Homes Site Now?

If you look up “Bowen Homes Atlanta now,” you’re really asking: What’s there today, and what’s planned for the future?

Current State of the Area

The land where Bowen Homes once stood has gone through:

• Demolition and clearing of the original structures
• Environmental and planning work to prepare for future use
• Slow, phased change tied to larger Westside redevelopment priorities

As of the most recent updates available up to 2024, the site is in or near a planning and redevelopment stage, often tied into larger Westside initiatives. Depending on exactly when you visit, the area may look like:

• Mostly open or partly vacant land
• Limited new housing or infrastructure directly on the old Bowen Homes footprint
• Nearby streets and neighborhoods beginning to see new construction or renovation

Redevelopment Goals (Big Picture)

City and housing planners have typically discussed former public housing sites like Bowen Homes in terms of:

• Mixed-income housing (affordable and market-rate units together)
• Improved street connections and safer pedestrian routes
• Parks, green space, or community amenities
• Stronger links to transit, jobs, and schools

If you’re interested in the latest, on-the-ground status of Bowen Homes redevelopment, your most reliable local sources are:

• Atlanta Housing

  • Main office: 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone (main line): 404‑892‑4700

• City of Atlanta – Department of City Planning

  • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: 404‑330‑6145

They can provide the most current information on active plans, zoning changes, or construction related to the former Bowen Homes site.

How Bowen Homes Fits into Atlanta’s Westside Story

Bowen Homes was one of several major public housing communities on or near the Westside that have been transformed over the past couple of decades. When people in Atlanta talk about the area, Bowen Homes is sometimes mentioned alongside:

• Perry Homes (now West Highlands and adjacent developments)
• Bankhead / Hollowell Parkway corridor improvements
• Nearby communities like Carey Park, Almond Park, Scotts Crossing, Grove Park, and English Avenue

Changing Neighborhood Dynamics

For someone living in or considering moving to the area, some noticeable trends include:

• More redevelopment interest: New townhomes, single-family homes, and small multifamily projects are slowly appearing.
• Shifts in affordability: Some properties remain relatively affordable compared to other parts of Atlanta, but prices and rents can be rising near new projects.
• Transportation considerations: Access relies heavily on major roads and local bus routes; walking infrastructure may be improving in some pockets but varies block by block.
• Community identity: Long-time residents often have deep ties to the neighborhood and strong opinions about how redevelopment should or shouldn’t happen.

Living Near the Former Bowen Homes Site: What to Consider

If you’re weighing a move to this part of Northwest / West Atlanta, it helps to look at several practical factors.

1. Housing Types and Costs

Nearby neighborhoods typically include:

• Smaller single-family homes: Many built mid-20th century, with some renovated and others needing work.
• Newer infill builds: Larger, modern homes or townhouses on subdivided lots.
• Limited existing apartment complexes: With potential for more multifamily as redevelopment progresses.

For renters and buyers, this can mean:

• Relatively lower prices than more central intown neighborhoods, but with variability based on renovation and proximity to new development.
• A tradeoff between affordability and amenities—some streets feel very residential and quiet, but may not yet have the retail or services you’d find closer to Midtown or Downtown.

2. Transportation and Commute

Key considerations if you live or work near the Bowen Homes area:

• MARTA bus routes serve parts of Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy and nearby roads.
• The nearest MARTA rail stations may require a bus transfer or short drive.
• Commute times to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead can vary based on traffic on major corridors like:
  • Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW
  • James Jackson Pkwy NW
  • Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW and Marietta Blvd NW

If transit access is important, check:

• Current MARTA bus schedules for your exact cross streets
• Whether sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting support comfortable walking to stops, especially at night

3. Schools and Community Services

Families considering this part of Atlanta often look at:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) zoning for specific addresses
• Nearby parks, recreation centers, and libraries
• Availability of after-school programs, youth activities, and community organizations

Useful local points of contact include:

• Atlanta Public Schools – Central Office

  • 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: 404‑802‑3500

• City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation

  • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: 404‑546‑6788

They can help you identify which schools and facilities serve the area around the former Bowen Homes site.

4. Safety and Quality of Life

As in many changing urban neighborhoods, conditions can vary block by block. When evaluating quality of life:

• Visit at different times of day to get a feel for traffic, noise, and activity.
• Look at street lighting, sidewalks, and general upkeep of nearby properties.
• Talk with current residents when possible—they often provide useful context about day-to-day life.

For public safety information, you can contact:

• Atlanta Police Department – Zone 1 (covers much of the Northwest/Westside area)
  • Zone 1 Precinct: 2315 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
  • Non-emergency line (APD general): 404‑614‑6544

Former Bowen Homes Residents: Housing and Support Options

People who once lived in Bowen Homes may still be navigating housing options across metro Atlanta.

Working With Atlanta Housing

Atlanta Housing (AH) is the primary public housing and voucher administrator in the city. Former Bowen Homes residents may have:

• Received Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) or similar assistance
• Relocated to other subsidized or mixed-income communities
• Moved into private rentals that accept vouchers

If you were a Bowen Homes resident and need information or records related to your housing history or benefits, contact:

• Atlanta Housing
  • Address: 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: 404‑892‑4700

They can guide you on:

• Current waitlists and eligibility for housing programs
• Voucher portability if you’re moving within or outside Atlanta
• Available resident services, like job training or financial counseling, when offered

Additional Local Housing Resources

For broader housing support in Atlanta, some residents also turn to:

• Fulton County Homeless Assessment Centers or coordinated entry programs
• City of Atlanta or Fulton County human services departments
• Community-based nonprofits focusing on housing stability, eviction prevention, or financial counseling

These organizations change and expand over time, so calling Atlanta Housing or the City of Atlanta customer service line (ATL 311: 3‑1‑1 inside city limits) can help you get current referrals.

How to Stay Updated on Bowen Homes Redevelopment

If you’re invested in what will eventually replace Bowen Homes—whether as a nearby resident, potential homebuyer, or community advocate—here are practical steps:

1. Check Official City and Housing Agency Channels

Contact or monitor:

• Atlanta Housing

  • 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • 404‑892‑4700

• City of Atlanta – Department of City Planning

  • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • 404‑330‑6145

Ask specifically about:

• Current plans or studies for the former Bowen Homes site
• Any approved rezoning or development proposals
• Public meetings or community engagement sessions related to the area

2. Participate in Neighborhood and NPU Meetings

Most of Atlanta is organized into Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs), which review and comment on zoning and development.

Steps to plug in:

1. Find out which NPU includes the former Bowen Homes area (city staff or ATL 311 can confirm).
2. Attend NPU meetings, usually held monthly, where:
   • Developers present plans
   • Residents ask questions and raise concerns
   • City officials share updates on planning and infrastructure

This is often where you’ll first see concept plans, renderings, or timelines for major redevelopment projects.

3. Visit the Area in Person

If you live in or near Atlanta, a simple drive or walk around the site and nearby streets can tell you:

• Where new homes or construction are already underway
• Whether infrastructure like sidewalks and streets is being upgraded
• How the neighborhood character is evolving over time

Quick Reference: Key Info About Bowen Homes Atlanta

Bottom line:
When people say “Bowen Homes Atlanta” today, they’re usually referring to a former public housing community that no longer exists, the land it occupied on Atlanta’s Westside, and the broader story of how that area is being reshaped. If you live in Atlanta or are thinking about moving here, understanding Bowen Homes gives you insight into how the city is changing—especially in Northwest and West Atlanta—and where future housing, infrastructure, and community investments may be focused.