Forest cove: all of the above

Forest Cove: All of the Above is a long-form photo documentary story by Mark Anthony Brown Jr., that chronicles the experience of residents living in an income-based housing community in the Atlanta neighborhood Thomasville Heights. AWP collaborated with the National Public Housing Museum to create and launch the Forest Cove: All of the Above exhibit that featured Brown’s photos and “It Felt Like Home,” a collection of oral history testimonies from residents of Forest Cove.

For years, residents of Forest Cove have lived in what they’ve described as “uninhabitable conditions,” including dilapidated buildings, pest infestation, faulty utilities, and overall mismanagement. In 2014, the complex was purchased by a development firm with promises to renovate the units and temporarily relocate residents during construction. In 2022, few steps have been taken to fulfill those promises. Through focusing on residents as they navigate life at Forest Cove, Brown hopes to illustrate the extremity of the living conditions and iterate the critical necessity of relocating families experiencing this untenable situation. While documenting the apparent disparities at Forest Cove is integral to this story, it’s equally imperative to highlight the spectrum of humanity and resilience of the residents. To be able to find joy, to smile and be positive, to take pride in their home while fighting for change is indicative of true resilience. Although this story is about a specific group of people living in a specific place, these images shed light on the types of severe housing disparities faced by many communities throughout the United States and beyond.

Forest Cove is just one example of the extreme housing disparities present in the United States, and through this work, AWP and Brown hope to advocate for equal housing opportunities for all.