You’ve probably seen the headlines or caught a snippet on the local news. If you’re looking into Fairburn Gordon Apartments Atlanta GA, you are likely seeing two very different worlds. On one hand, there are the rental listings—clean photos of brick buildings, talk of "affordable living," and prices that look like a typo in today’s hyper-expensive Atlanta market. On the other hand, there is the raw, gritty reality of the people who actually live there.
Honestly, it's a mess.
This isn't just another apartment complex on the west side. It has become a symbol of the housing crisis in the city, a flashpoint for legal battles between the mayor’s office and "absentee" landlords, and a cautionary tale for anyone hunting for a deal.
The Reality of Fairburn Gordon Apartments Atlanta GA
The property, located at 195 Fairburn Road NW in the Adamsville neighborhood, consists of two sections: Fairburn Gordon I and II. Built back in 1972, it’s a sprawling 160-unit complex that, on paper, should be a vital piece of the city's affordable housing stock.
But history hasn't been kind here.
Most people get it wrong by thinking this is just a "run-down" spot. It’s deeper than that. For years, residents have dealt with what federal inspectors officially labeled as "life-threatening" conditions. We’re talking about massive cockroach infestations, raw sewage leaks, and mold so thick it looks like it was painted on the walls.
In late 2023 and throughout 2024, the situation hit a breaking point. HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) finally stepped in after an inspection gave the property a score of 18 out of 100. For context, 18 is effectively a failing grade that suggests the building is barely fit for human habitation.
Why the Feds Pulled the Plug
HUD doesn't just cancel contracts on a whim. They issued a "Notice of Default" to the owners, A&B Apartments LLC, specifically naming Behzad and Abraham Beroukhai.
🔗 Read more: Range Rover key battery replacement: What most people get wrong about their smart fob
The government basically said: "Fix it or we're leaving."
The owners didn't fix it. Or, at least, they didn't fix it fast enough or well enough to satisfy the feds. By March 2024, HUD started the process of abating the Section 8 contracts. This was huge. It meant that the federal government was moving the subsidized tenants out and giving them vouchers to go literally anywhere else.
If you're looking at the complex today, you'll see a lot of boarded-up windows. Many of the families who were there for years have been relocated by the city and HUD’s relocation contractors. But—and this is the part that gets complicated—not everyone left.
The "Market Rate" Trap
There’s a weird thing happening at Fairburn Gordon right now. While the Section 8 tenants were moved out for their safety, the "market rate" tenants—people paying full price without government help—mostly stayed.
Why? Because where else are they going to go?
Atlanta’s rent has skyrocketed. If you can find a two-bedroom for $700 or $800, you’re usually looking at a place with problems. People stay because they're stuck. In recent months, even as the city was suing the owners, new people were still moving in.
🔗 Read more: Weather forecast in Washington: What Most People Get Wrong About 2026 Winter
It’s a cycle. The management puts a fresh coat of paint on a unit, fixes a sink, and leases it to someone desperate for a roof. Then, two months later, the mold comes back through the paint.
What's actually inside?
If you walked through the gates today, here’s what you might find:
- Cosmetic "patches": Residents have told news outlets like FOX 5 and Capital B that management "didn't do nothing but patch stuff up."
- Broken Infrastructure: Stovetops that don't work, refrigerators that died months ago, and air conditioning units that give up the ghost the second it hits 90 degrees in Georgia.
- Safety Issues: Exposed wiring and missing carbon monoxide detectors were highlighted in the HUD reports.
The Legal Tug-of-War
The City of Atlanta, under Mayor Andre Dickens, has been trying to make an example out of Fairburn Gordon. They’ve hit the owners with hundreds of housing code violations.
In mid-2024, a municipal judge, Christopher T. Portis, actually visited the property himself. He wanted to see if the "structural integrity" was even there anymore. The city has floated the idea of demolition, but that’s a legal nightmare. You can't just tear down a building while 80+ families still call it home.
The owners have fought back, claiming they’ve invested over $500,000 into repairs. They say they're being targeted. Their lawyer argued in court that most repairs were done and only about 10% were unresolved.
But talk to a tenant like Crystal Brown or Linda Ford—people who have lived there for 15 years—and they’ll tell you the heat hasn't worked in three winters.
The 2026 Outlook: Is it even for sale?
As of late, Fairburn Gordon has been listed on commercial real estate sites like Crexi and Franklin Street for around $8.9 million.
It's being marketed as a "deep value-add opportunity."
In real estate speak, that means "this place is a wreck, but if you have millions to gut it, you can make a lot of money." The listing notes that the property is in an Opportunity Zone and has been "converted to market rate," meaning there are no more pesky federal affordability restrictions.
It's a gamble. Any new buyer is walking into a hornet's nest of city lawsuits and pending fines.
✨ Don't miss: Why Wool Long Johns Mens Options Are Actually Better Than Modern Synthetics
How to Handle This If You’re Looking for a Place
If you’re scrolling through Zillow or Rentable and you see a listing for Fairburn Gordon Apartments Atlanta GA, you need to be extremely careful. The price is going to be the lowest in the zip code. That's the bait.
- Check the actual unit, not the model. Do not sign anything until you have walked into the specific apartment you will be living in. Turn on every faucet. Check under the sinks for "fuzzy" walls (mold).
- Look at the windows. One of the biggest complaints from the city was windows that wouldn't open or were boarded up from the inside.
- Ask about the AC. In Atlanta, AC isn't a luxury; it's a health requirement. If it doesn't work during the tour, it won't work in July.
- Read the news. Google the owners. See if the city is still actively suing them. If there's an open nuisance case, you could be forced to move out on short notice if the building is condemned.
The Verdict on Fairburn Gordon
Fairburn Gordon isn't just a group of buildings; it's a living example of what happens when "absentee management" meets a city that is finally starting to lose its patience.
For some, it’s a necessary roof. For others, it’s a dangerous trap.
The reality is that until a major developer buys the whole 11-acre site and does a full-scale renovation—or until the city follows through on the threat of demolition—the cycle of "patch and lease" will probably continue.
Actionable Next Steps:
- For Potential Renters: Avoid signing a lease here unless you have exhausted every other option. Contact the Atlanta Housing Help Center to see if there are better-managed properties with similar price points.
- For Current Residents: If you are still living with mold or no heat, document everything. Take photos, keep a log of maintenance requests, and reach out to the Housing Justice League or the Atlanta Solicitor's Office.
- For Investors: Realize that the $8.9M price tag comes with a massive "legal tax" and a reputation that will take years to fix. Perform a full environmental audit for lead-based paint and mold before even thinking about a wire transfer.