Atlanta Rapper T.I. Appears With Mayor Andre Dickens At Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony For Affordable Housing Development

T.I.'s affordable housing development, Intrada Westside is located on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway

Turning an old shopping center, where his grandmother used to get her groceries, into an affordable apartment complex, Atlanta rapper T.I. was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place on Nov. 14.

According to WSB-TV, the “Rubber Band Man” lyricist, who talked about the construction of this housing development over two years ago, finally got the chance to show off the site. Along with his wife, Tiny; the mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens; and several groups involved in making this project happen, he helped unveil the housing unit.

The housing development includes 143 apartments and has 25 special units that have been set aside for homeless youth.

“The arts and entertainment industry in this city has been able to collaborate and, I guess, be profitable enough to offer the community so many things that are much needed,” the man born Clifford Harris told the media outlet.

Fox 5 Atlanta reported that the Intrada Westside is located on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

“When you listen to Tip’s album… he shouts out all the neighborhoods right around here,” Mayor Dickens said.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, T.I. revealed a little tidbit about the location on which unit is built on.

“I’m going to tell y’all a secret. Don’t tell nobody. I got caught stealing from this Kmart,” T.I. said. “I thought that, you know, just to offset the shame that came with that, it would behoove me to invest in the community by acquiring these properties.”

The address for the development is 2174 – 2176 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, and it includes commercial/retail space and community gardens, according to a press release from Atlanta Housing.

T.I. was raised in the Center Hill neighborhood near Bankhead Highway. A few years ago, he launched “Buy Back the Block,” in conjunction with APD-Urban Planning and Management and Dynasty Real Estate Development. The real estate venture buys properties in Tip’s childhood neighborhood and flips them into affordable housing for the community.