Housing Fund hires first Executive Director

The Macon-Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund has hired Natalie Bouyett as its first Executive Director. In this role Bouyett will work with the consolidated government, Land Bank Authority, Macon Housing Authority, and other partners to create more affordable housing options for people throughout the county.

"Creating affordable housing opportunities while providing a platform for individuals, businesses, and foundations to support housing solutions resonates deeply with my passion," says Bouyett. "In an economy where housing affordability remains elusive for many, this role represents an ideal opportunity to continue my commitment to safe and accessible housing."

"There is a national shortage of affordable housing options, but here in Macon-Bibb, we are making major investments in creating more," says Mayor Lester Miller. "We have already put millions of dollars toward building more homes for people, and I'm looking forward to more of these projects beginning."

Bouyett earned her Master of Arts in Management of Nonprofit Organizations and Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia. Prior to this new role in Macon-Bibb, she served as a Real Estate Specialist with the City of Columbus, Development Assistant with Columbus State University, Development & Grants Manager with the Latin American Association in Atlanta, and other roles.

The Housing Fund was started with $7.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and one project has already been announced. In September, Macon-Bibb announced new housing for 64 families in the Historic Pleasant Hill Neighborhood. The 1-3-bedroom units will go up on the corner of Walnut and Madison Streets. They will be income restricted to limits set by the Department of Housing & Urban Development, but there will be more mixed income housing.

"Everybody knows you can't turn on the news these days and not see a story about the demand for affordable housing. Not just in Macon, but throughout the entire United States," said Macon Housing Authority CEO Mike Austin said at the announcement. "It is very hard to obtain these days, and that's why it's important that we take on projects like this and provide more affordable housing for the residents of our community."

In addition to the Housing Fund, Macon-Bibb and the Peyton Anderson Foundation gave $1 million ($500,000 from each) to Habitat for Humanity to build eight homes, and the mortgage payments from those will be used to build even more in the future. Additionally, $3.2 million ($1.6 million each from Macon-Bibb and the Knight Foundation) was given to NewTown Macon and the Historic Macon Foundation.