The document summarizes the rehabilitation of a crack house located at 411 Forsythe Street into affordable housing. A team worked to evict squatters dealing drugs from the property and demolished the building which was in horrible condition. They worked with non-profit organizations to rebuild the house with a new foundation, electrical, plumbing and other improvements. The rehabilitated home is now occupied by six stable tenants. The project aims to transform problem properties into safe, affordable homes and improve the neighborhood.

2. The Situation
411 Forsythe was a very busy crack-house, and
perpetuated constant drug dealing,
prostitution, and theft. A team of drug
dealers was squatting in the home. Neighbors
had threatened to move away. We approached
others to solve the issue—Habitat, churches,
and nonprofits…

3. We got no responses, so we asked, “Why
not us?” We spoke to our wives, and met
to pray. We sought counsel from our
church elders, talked to real estate
investors, contractors, community
developers, and pastors.

4. We found out who owned the property, and
told him the situation. We learned that the
“tenants” had made an offer to purchase the
home. Not wanting to sell it to drug
dealers, the owner offered it to us for $100
down. After much prayer, we accepted on
the condition he “evict” his squatters.

5. Chris Bold, a neighbor, promised to buy
the homes across the street if we
acquired 411. Those homes were also
used in criminal activity.

6. The Eviction
After weeks of raids, waiting, and
calling dispatch, many neighbors met at
the home with law enforcement to carry
out the eviction. We put all of the
belongings on the curb, and nailed all of
the doors and windows shut.

8. Demolition
After letting the property sit vacant for
a few weeks, we began to “clean”.
The home was absolutely disgusting!

9. We found signs of criminal activity and horrible
living conditions.

10. We also found kids’ report cards, funeral
announcements, and toys. We were humbled and
saddened as these items reminded us of the
humanity of the image bearers of God who had
been living in such horrible conditions.

11. The home had no running water.
There was dog feces everywhere.
“Cleaning” led to demolition.

12. As we talked and prayed—we decided we
wanted to build a beautiful, safe, clean,
updated property—and to plant
“missional” tenants to love their
neighbors and transform Forsythe Street.

13. We got our friends involved! We had a few
workdays to get demolition done.
(That’s Jason on the left—he probably tore
out half of the plaster at 411 Forsythe!)

14. We had prayed about who would live at 411 and
God provided a group of missional guys that
felt called to re-neighbor Forsythe Street. We
met to talk and pray on multiple occasions and
decided on 5 men who wanted to live at 411.
All are actively involved in the neighborhood,
and we are confident that they will help
transform that block.

15. • We did all of the demolition by volunteer labor
from Hope for Augusta, and we started lining up
subcontractors, until we were told that we were
required We did General Contractor.
to get a all of the demolition by
•volunteer labor from Hope for Augusta, and
We spent the next few weeks working to get
something together that would work, and we were
we started lining up subcontractors, until
we wereto work with a non-profit construction a
blessed told that we were required to get
company that could help us finish the rehabilitation
general contractor. We spent the next few
correctly.
weeks working to get something together
• Action Recovery Team is a construction company
that would work. Court to
that works with the Augusta Drug
facilitate the rehabilitation of addicts, and was a
God send to have them be a part of rehabilitating a
known drug property

16. We were blessed to work with a non-profit
construction company that could help us
finish the rehabilitation correctly. Action
Recovery Team is a construction company
that works with the Augusta Drug Court to
facilitate the rehabilitation of addicts. We
were mutually excited for the opportunity to
have Action Recovery be a part of
rehabilitating a known drug property.

17. The Action Recovery Team coordinated
installing a new foundation, new
electrical, new plumbing, insulation,
framing the house, drywall, and building
kitchen cabinetry.

18. The Action Recovery Team coordinated
installing a new foundation, new
electrical, new plumbing, insulation,
framing the house, drywall, and building
kitchen cabinetry.

19. The Action Recovery Team coordinated
installing a new foundation, new
electrical, new plumbing, insulation,
framing the house, drywall, and building
kitchen cabinetry.

20. The Action Recovery Team coordinated
installing a new foundation, new
electrical, new plumbing, insulation,
framing the house, drywall, and building
kitchen cabinetry.

21. With the help of professionals and friends,
we refinished the original hardwood floors.

22. We especially appreciated Ben
Kilpatric and his family as they
volunteered professional flooring
experience to this project!

23. The duplex was painted inside and out
with the help of many volunteers.

24. We want to highlight our appreciation
for Kristin Cotton as she volunteered
at every opportunity to help us
complete this project.

25. We also want to thank the First
Presbyterian Church Youth Group who
painted the exterior of 411 Forsythe and
two houses across the street as part of
their summer mission trip!

26. In addition to having to rehab the
property, we also had to start over with the
yard. This included the city removing a
large tree in the front yard, ripping out
broken concrete sidewalks, removing
shrubbery, and spreading dirt. We intend
to continue our work on the landscaping
and exterior of 411 Forsythe to add some
“Curb Appeal”!

27. 411 Forsythe is now fully occupied by six
stable young professionals. This is a
wonderful contrast from where we began,
and we are excited to see what new
opportunities the Lord has in store for us!

28. Mission
411 Forsythe exists to show how
strategically targeted problem properties
can be turned into beautiful, clean, safe,
affordable, and energy-efficient homes for
the Glory of God.

29. Vision
We are interested in facilitating
partnerships to create investment
opportunities that result in a mixed income
community, increased safety, and amenities
to better our neighborhood.

30. Partnerships
• Action Recovery Team
• Hope for Augusta
• First Presbyterian Church
• Christ Community Health Services
• Olde Town Neighborhood Association
• Richmond County Government
• Chris Bold
• Many Wonderful Volunteers!