Press Room

HomeAid Atlanta Celebrates Groundbreaking for Phoenix Pass Complex to Serve Homeless Families On July 9, HomeAid Atlanta, in partnership with Phoenix Pass, officially broke ground on the first phase of a Conyers complex that will provide long-term transitional housing for families, particularly women with children, who are experiencing temporary homelessness in the Conyers/Rockdale area. On July 9, HomeAid Atlanta, in partnership with Phoenix Pass, officially broke ground on the first phase of a Conyers complex that will provide long-term transitional housing for families, particularly women with children, who are experiencing temporary homelessness in the Conyers/Rockdale area. More than 50 people, including officials, community leaders, and representatives from local organizations, attended the groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of the complex located on the campus of Light House Village in Conyers. The ceremony marked the highly-anticipated kickoff for construction on the project. "As the first transitional housing development in Rockdale County, the Phoenix Pass project truly represents a milestone for the community," said Ann Carey, executive director of HomeAid Atlanta. The Phoenix Pass complex will eventually include two eight-unit apartment buildings and a community center, accommodating up to 90 people at any given time.  HomeAid Atlanta is leading the construction effort, joined by two Conyers-based builders, Horizon Home Builders and Manor Homes. Both companies are generously serving as HomeAid Atlanta’s builder captains for phase one of the project to construct the first apartment building and the community center. The first phase of construction is expected to be complete by the end of this year. "Manor Homes is a firm believer in the idea of investing in the communities where we live and build, and we are delighted to be a part of the Phoenix Pass project which will ultimately help homeless families in the Rockdale County community get a fresh start in life," said Gary Lockman, president of Manor Homes. "We are very proud to be a partner on this great initiative." Both apartment buildings will be EarthCraft-certified, meeting the guidelines of the EarthCraft House green building program.  Each apartment unit will include a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a private bathroom. The lighthouse community center will include an activity room, meeting room, laundry room, storage area, four restrooms, two kitchenettes and a staff office. Phoenix Pass, a nonprofit organization designed as a partnership between First Baptist Church of Conyers and Rockdale Emergency Relief, will operate the complex when construction is complete, providing housing for up to two years along with case management, a mentorship program, life skills classes and aftercare programs. Phoenix Pass will be one of three nonprofit programs on the 27-acre Light House Village campus. The mission of Phoenix Pass is to serve the needs of families experiencing temporary homelessness by giving them an opportunity to reestablish self-sufficiency in a residential setting. The focus of the program is to empower homeless families with supportive services and the resources to recover and rebuild a productive, stable lifestyle for themselves and their family. Phoenix Pass operates under the vision that those who have successfully completed the program will remain in the Conyers-Rockdale County area to live, work and contribute back to the community the education, life skills and job skills acquired during their tenure in the program.  It is expected that residents will transition from Phoenix Pass into the community as productive and self-sufficient citizens.  For more information about this project and to learn how you can get involved, call HomeAid Atlanta at 678-775-1401 or e-mail homeaid@atlantahomebuilders.com.