Atlanta rapper and entrepreneur Killer Mike is standing 10 toes down for his city in a major way.

This week, Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, announced the launch of a new rent-to-own housing effort in metro Atlanta through his real estate company, Blackmon Real Estate. The initiative, called Build-to-Ownership (B2O), pairs his company with Bridge Tower in a joint venture aimed at turning monthly housing payments into a path toward owning a home. The effort is part of a broader push to make homeownership more attainable for families who’ve been priced out of the market.

"This initiative is about bringing homeownership within reach for people who crave the stability that ownership offers. This will ultimately create stronger communities. It will also help families build wealth," said Render in a public statement. "Wealth is defined by the ability to own land, and through the B2O program, we are making sure that the people who make Atlanta great have a real stake in its future.”

The path to homeownership has become increasingly challenging in the U.S. due to rising costs across the board and a lack of job stability for many younger generations. Though this is particularly true for Black families, as saving for a down payment has become harder. Black households have the lowest homeownership rate nationally, at just 41.7 percent, which is 30 percentage points lower than white households, according to a Harvard study.

The program is designed to offer newly built homes with a structured lease-to-own option, giving residents a chance to build equity while they rent. The venture is actively looking for development sites across the greater Atlanta area and expects to announce its first acquisition in the coming months.

Bridge Tower said the model combines its development experience with Blackmon Real Estate’s local roots, with an initial focus on high-growth neighborhoods near jobs, transit, and retail. The companies say the rollout will be phased, with an emphasis on long-term community stability and neighborhood needs.

“We are building houses, yes, but we are also plotting, planning, and organizing for the long-term economic prosperity of our community," said the Grammy-Award-winning artist.