Shamrock Gardens is the brainchild of Brent Sobol. It’s the manifestation of his career in multi-family properties and his Jesuit faith, an order of the Roman Catholic Church, established in the 1500’s. The affordable supportive apartment complex is in one of the most challenging areas on the south side of Atlanta and is home to 900 residents – with a waiting list to get in. Further, this is a wise investment! Banks and other funds can support projects like these and earn a meaningful financial return.
Courageously pursuing the road less traveled, with a clear vision for building community from the inside-out, not from the top, works magic!
In 2006, Sobol’s Legacy Community Housing Corporation (LCHC) purchased from Fannie Mae the severely distressed property with the highest crime rates in the neighborhood. His “Re-Building Communities” strategy began with major renovations including energy efficient units and landscaping, followed by safety and security, the establishment of strategic alliances with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system, and creating a community center, building a playground, planting fruit trees, and engaging residents.
Next up was to build deeper partnerships with for-profit and non-profit groups. The mission expanded to include a host of “wrap-around” programs and services – educational day and after-school care, movie night, annual night out, voluntary bible study, computers with internet access, intervention treatments for adults, seniors bingo, a community garden, even a Cub Scout troop – all open to Legacy Shamrock residents and people in the surrounding area.
Inspiration Station Academy is an excellent on-site state licensed center for 82 children from infants through school-age.
With a team of local community members, who became dedicated and passionate staff members, Legacy Shamrock has imbedded episodic and ongoing supportive partners. These address special needs, domestic violence, mental health, veteran transition, workforce skills, parenting guidance, healthy living, voter registration, reentry after prison, financial literacy– the list is four pages long.
“The 17 ‘Hot Topics’ of Your Lease Agreement with Shamrock Gardens.”
These include: No guns (real or toy); no smoking (of anything); no overnight visitors for > 3 days/week; bills are due on the 1st of the month; rules on outdoor grilling and fire precautions; no bandanas, sagging pants, or outdoor shirt-less-ness for you or your guests; curfew is 9 PM for under-17’s and 10 PM for adults, with exceptions for walking to and from home; pets MAY be allowed after paperwork is complete; pet poops must be removed; personal vehicles must be tagged and in good condition; alcohol may be consumed for of-age residents and guests, but it must be in a glass; outdoor intoxication is strictly prohibited; porches must be clean and neat (i.e. no laundry or junk), etc. Breaking any of the 17 rules will have specific repercussions.
Most important is the final ‘Hot Topic’ – “We can and will come into your home to inspect, repair, and upgrade without advanced notice, as the lease agreement and GA law gives us the right to do so.” Why? Because LCHC cares about residents.
These rules are all to foster safe, healthy, productive community building.
I witnessed James, the Shamrock Gardens operations manager, talk with a woman who was evicted (“put out”) after breaking rules and receiving 2nd and 3rd chances, only because she is in a high-risk category. The humanity and compassion in his voice and the appreciation from hers really moved me. The woman had to go for the sake of the community, but even so, he offered to personally help her move.
Because Legacy Shamrock is not Sobol’s first rodeo, he makes it a priority to share best practices with other multi-family real estate investors and civic leaders. But the main thing he shares is the credit – with staff, civic partners, police, EMS, and fire departments, city and county leaders, volunteers, and with the residents themselves. Everyone knows “Mr. Brent,” even though he is no longer present full time, and he knows most residents by name, by backstory, and by their progress.
As I see it, the ‘magic’ arises from the ‘pixie dust’ of a shared vision, sustained hard work, high expectations, active compassion, learning from mistakes, and faith. In other words: true, sustained Servant Leadership.
My husband, Eric, and I had the pleasure of celebrating National Night Out, locally hosted by Shamrock Gardens, with open invitations to surrounding communities. James served as MC with fun and games for people of all ages – from a 6-piece band, to horse riding, volunteer veterans’ color guard during a live singing of the national anthem, a dunk tank, face painting, video games, and a ton of delicious food! The event welcomed a host of external civic partners, from CPR training, to filled school back-packs (police), smoke alarm training (fire), a performance from a local youth dance school, Young Life, free haircuts, and a number of political dignitaries, etc. At the end of the evening, the Atlanta City Council conferred a Proclamation in Honor of Brent Sobol for his vision and execution of an effective, replicable, blue ribbon standard for affordable supportive housing.
Of course, Brent said the recognition, “belongs to everyone involved within and around Shamrock Gardens.”
In closing, I hope this Hartz & Minds inspires people, (especially real estate owners, developers, public safety professionals, and community organizations) to adopt the strategies and tactics described here, to address the challenging – but SOLVABLE issues of affordable housing, public safety, family health, and community building.
For-Profit and Non-Profit entities may be interested in these 2 Hartz & Minds issues: