How Atlanta Is Preserving Legacy Homeownership Through Equitable Policy and Community Trust

FORWARD Platform
Aug 19
3 min read

Across the country, cities are struggling to grow responsibly—without displacing the very residents who built their communities. In this episode of Beyond Bureaucracy, FORWARD’s Director of Client Services, Tahmina Martelly, sat down with Anita Allgood, VP of Single Family and Homeownership Services at Invest Atlanta to discuss how the City of Atlanta is tackling this issue through the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program.

What Is the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program?

The Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program is a groundbreaking initiative launched by Invest Atlanta, the city’s official economic development authority. Designed to address the rising threat of displacement due to gentrification and increasing property taxes, this program provides long-term tax relief for low-income senior homeowners who have lived in their homes for 15 years or more.

Eligible participants pay no more than their current property tax amount for up to 20 years—with the city covering any annual increases.

"This program is really designed to assist legacy residents—those that built these communities and essentially the fabric of these neighborhoods.”

Anita Allgood, VP of Single Family and Homeownership Services at Invest Atlanta

Key Takeaways: How Atlanta Is Preventing Displacement

1. Targeted Relief for Vulnerable Populations

Focused on seniors aged 60+, 15+ years in the home, earning ≤60% AMI
Average benefit: ~$390/year per household
Serves as a tax stabilization tool to support aging in place

2. Public-Private Partnerships for Affordable Housing Solutions

Funded by the Centennial Yards Housing Trust Fund (developer agreement)
Additional $2.75M+ support from philanthropist Tyler Perry
Model for other cities seeking developer-funded displacement prevention strategies

3. Human-Centered Program Design

Digital access via online forms
IVR (interactive voice response) recertification system for non-digital seniors
In-person application assistance via trusted community-based organizations

4. Transparent and Data-Driven Program Management

Live dashboards for real-time reporting
Projection tools to manage long-term funding and program scale
Randomized selection to ensure equity across council districts

2024–2025 Program Impact at a Glance

✅ 200+ applications received during the pilot year
🏡 104 homeowners enrolled in Year 1
📈 800+ applications received in 2025, with only 245 slots available—demonstrating strong unmet demand
🔒 Significant increase in trust and engagement, particularly among African-American women aged 80+

“To be able to support single women in their 80s, living alone, who’ve lived in their homes for decades—that’s incredibly powerful.”

Anita Allgood, VP of Single Family and Homeownership Services at Invest Atlanta

A Replicable Model for Cities and Counties

This program is a scalable model for cities looking to:

Prevent displacement while supporting development
Build trust with legacy residents
Leverage tech-enabled relief platforms like FORWARD
Strengthen impact reporting for housing grant proposals and philanthropic fundraising

"If you’re thinking about launching a program like this—do it, and do it now. The need is there, and the impact is undeniable."

Anita Allgood, VP of Single Family and Homeownership Services at Invest Atlanta

5. Tools That Made the Program Work

FORWARD’s platform provided a secure, scalable foundation:

Digital applications and recertification
IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system that enabled seniors to recertify eligibility by phone
Live dashboards and randomized selection tools
Projection modeling to match budget to 20-year commitments

“The IVR system worked surprisingly well. Even our most high-touch clients knew how to use a phone. It made it accessible and easy.”

Anita Allgood, VP of Single Family and Homeownership Services at Invest Atlanta

Conclusion: Equity in Action Starts at the Local Level

Atlanta’s Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund is more than a housing program. It’s a blueprint for what’s possible when cities prioritize people over process. By combining thoughtful policy, community partnership, and human-centered technology, Atlanta is proving that equitable development isn’t just an aspiration, it’s achievable.

At FORWARD, we’re proud to support this work and amplify the leaders making it happen. If your agency or organization is looking for ways to preserve homeownership, prevent displacement, and build trust in the communities you serve, we’re here to help.