Between the growing need among unhoused families and the proven role of transitional housing in bridging the gap between homelessness and self-sufficiency, Metro Atlanta’s Rainbow Village is endeavoring to expand its scope. Launched in 2024, by its conclusion, the nonprofit’s ‘Building Homes, Building Hope” Capital Campaign will generate enough funds to expand its Duluth campus, more than doubling the number of families it can serve. After successfully acquiring land adjacent to its existing campus late last year, Rainbow Village began the quest for a contractor to bring its vision to life. Today, it announced that – following a public bid process launched earlier this summer – Lubin Enterprises has been selected to lead construction on two new apartment buildings that will provide safe and secure housing for up to 36 additional families in crisis. Project partners also include the architects at Axis Companies and the project managers at Collaborative Housing Solutions. Attended by city and county officials as well as Rainbow Village’s staff members, board of directors, and philanthropic partners, the groundbreaking is set for September 29, 2025. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Lubin Enterprises, Axis Companies, Collaborative Housing Solutions, and everyone else who has embarked on this journey with us as we seek to transform the lives of families in need,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished together to date, and we’re excited about the impact yet to come. Before we even break ground on this expansion, we’re already well on our way, having tapped our contractor and project partners. In addition to donations and the amazing support from Gwinnett County and our wonderful board of directors, we’ve been awarded several foundation grants, including an endowment from the Schoen Foundation. We’re at 73% of our goal, but there’s still much to do.”

Estimated to take roughly a year from the ground-breaking to complete the expansion of the nonprofit’s campus, Conner added, “While Lubin Enterprises tackles the ‘Building Homes’ aspect of our Capital Campaign, Rainbow Village will focus on the ‘Building Hope’ element of the equation. My team and I will continue to raise funds to ensure that every family housed in our new apartments receives dedicated resident support services, mental health counseling, life skills development, and free access to Rainbow Village Academy - including after-school care, digital learning days, and summer programming. In addition to housing for up to two years at a modest rent, they will receive utility and internet services at no additional cost, so they can focus on rebuilding their savings and knocking out debt. Beyond the cost of construction, a portion of the campaign funds has been earmarked for staffing, programming, family services, and ongoing maintenance of the entire campus to ensure a safe and healthy living and working environment.”

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Lubin Enterprises has managed projects throughout the Southeast, delivering the highest level of craftsmanship and functionality. A leader in the construction management field for the last 35 years, its team has secured a stellar reputation for working closely with project stakeholders, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to assure a smooth, professional, and effective experience throughout the entire building process. 

Beyond the groundbreaking in September, Rainbow Village will host its Tailgate to Tackle Homelessness Benefit Gala at Formetco in Duluth on Saturday, October 4. Representing one of the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraisers, tickets and sponsorship opportunities are open to the public.

For more information about Rainbow Village and its all-important mission to end homelessness – one family at a time, visit https://rainbowvillage.org/. Contributions to the “Building Homes, Building Hope” Capital Campaign can be made at https://rainbowvillage.org/capital-campaign-building-homes-building-hope/.