Living Tower
Living Tower Senior Housing will create 50 affordable homes for older adults, offering a nurturing and welcoming environment with thoughtful amenities and on-site resources that support well-being, dignity, and connection.
Meeting the Need: A Hopeful Vision for Senior Housing at Living Tower
The need for affordable senior housing is growing rapidly. Across the country, many older adults are struggling to find homes that are both accessible and affordable. This shortage puts significant strain not only on seniors but also on their families and entire communities. At the same time, the growing epidemic of loneliness among seniors reminds us how vital it is to create spaces where older adults feel connected, valued, and supported.
A Vision Takes Root
In the summer of 2023, Abundant Ground had the privilege of beginning a conversation with the leadership at Living Tower. Like many congregations, they were facing challenges: rising operational costs, aging buildings, and the pressure to sell property just to stay afloat. Yet, in the midst of this uncertainty, they held onto a deeper calling—as faithful stewards of the land they had been entrusted with.
Living Tower sits on two acres of vacant land. Rather than sell and walk away, church leaders asked a bold question: Could we use this land to meet a real community need and still secure the financial future of our congregation?
The answer was a resounding yes.
A Partnership with Purpose
Through a powerful partnership with Blue Ridge Atlantic, Living Tower is transforming their underutilized land into affordable senior housing. But this is more than just housing—it’s a vision for community. Together, they are creating not only sustainable homes, but a place where seniors can thrive, build relationships, and experience a true sense of belonging.
A Model for Others
Living Tower’s journey is a shining example of what’s possible when churches rethink the purpose of their land. By stepping into the housing conversation, faith communities can meet urgent needs, build financial resilience, and combat isolation and loneliness—especially among our most vulnerable neighbors.
This project is a beacon of hope, showing what can happen when faith, vision, and community come together. Living Tower is not just building homes—they’re building a future
About the Developer:
Blue Ridge Atlantic Development
Behind the transformation of Living Tower’s land stands Blue Ridge Atlantic Development, with Vice President Ruben Esqueda leading the way. Ruben brings decades of experience in affordable housing, having developed more than 6,000 units nationwide. With a background in both nonprofit and for-profit housing sectors, his approach blends deep technical knowledge with a heart for community impact. As the project lead, Ruben has guided the vision with care—ensuring that Living Tower’s mission is honored while building high-quality, sustainable housing. His leadership exemplifies how strong development partnerships can bring faith-driven projects to life, meeting both urgent housing needs and the desire for meaningful community connection.
Established in 1982, Shelter Resources, Inc. (SRI) later founded Blue Ridge Atlantic Development (BRAD) as a sister company. Together, these companies have built a robust portfolio, having developed projects across more than ten states and contributed to the construction and renovation of over 8,000 affordable and supportive housing units nationwide.
SRI focuses on affordable housing initiatives in the western United States, while BRAD expands its reach into the eastern regions, including Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Many of their projects involve partnerships with local governments or joint ventures with nonprofit organizations, underscoring a strong commitment to community engagement and collaboration.
The synergy between SRI and BRAD is reflected in their shared team, which includes development staff, asset management professionals, accounting experts, and construction oversight personnel. This cohesive workforce, with decades of collective experience, enables the companies to work seamlessly on large-scale projects, ensuring the successful completion of impactful and far-reaching housing initiatives.
