How to Launch an Anti-Displacement Housing Relief Program

Rising property taxes and accelerated urban development are creating a housing crisis for long-standing residents in cities across the United States. For city and county leaders and nonprofit organizations focused on housing equity, the need for practical, scalable solutions is urgent.

That’s exactly what the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta accomplished with their Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program—a city-led housing relief initiative designed to protect legacy homeowners from being priced out of their homes due to rising taxes.

In a recent episode of Beyond Bureaucracy, we explored the origins, funding structure, and technology used to bring this program to life. Featuring insights from Anita Allgood, Vice President of Single Family and Homeownership at Invest Atlanta, this conversation offers replicable strategies for governments and nonprofits aiming to reduce displacement and boost housing stability.

Practical Checklist: Launching a Housing Relief Program for Your City or County

1. Define the “Why” and the "Who"​

Start with a clear understanding of your community’s most at-risk residents. In Atlanta, that meant legacy homeowners—people aged 60+, earning below 60% AMI, and living in their homes for 15+ years.

"Every city wants to grow. But we also have a responsibility to protect the people who built our communities.”

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

Creating a program eligibility profile tailored to local conditions ensures you’re directing support to those who need it most—and helps build a compelling narrative for funders, partners, and the community.

​2. Secure Long-Term Funding

Look beyond traditional public funds. Atlanta used a mix of innovative sources:

• A $10M commitment from the Centennial Yards Housing Trust Fund

• A $2M donation from Tyler Perry

• Local philanthropic and developer partnerships

"The reality is we could not do this without dedicated, long-term funding sources. That trust fund and philanthropic support were mission critical.”

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

Public-private partnerships and negotiated agreements with developers are increasingly powerful tools for municipalities. Tie funding to large-scale development projects to directly offset unintended impacts.

3. Build Trust Through Community-Based Engagement

Digital tools are powerful, but trust is local. Atlanta partnered with community-based organizations (CBOs) like Meals on Wheels to:

• Host in-person application events

• Offer support to seniors

• Assist with outreach in high-need areas

“Face-to-face interactions, phone-based applications, and trusted partners—that’s how you build access and trust.”

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

Meaningful engagement strategies include:

• Weekend events in multiple neighborhood

• Bilingual support

• Involvement of council members and familiar CBOs

4. Design an Accessible, Hybrid Application Process

Pair technology with flexibility:

• Mobile-friendly online applications

• In-person assistance via CBO partners

• Phone-based recertification (IVR)

"Even seniors unfamiliar with tech know how to use a phone. Our IVR system was a game changer."

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

Accessibility isn’t just a feature—it’s a foundational design principle. The IVR system FORWARD implemented saw high engagement among seniors, removing digital literacy as a barrier.

5. Get the Right Partners on Board

Invest Atlanta issued an RFP to find a service delivery partner who could:

• Design and manage the application process

• Handle outreach, compliance, and case management

• Provide secure, real-time reporting dashboards

“FORWARD’s system protected sensitive data, tracked real-time progress, and gave us confidence at every step.”

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

When choosing a partner, prioritize those who:

• Understand municipal processes

• Can scale quickly with integrity

• Offer both tech infrastructure and community fluency

6. Prioritize Transparent, Real-Time Oversight

Transparency is non-negotiable. Atlanta’s team used dashboards and data tools to:

• Monitor applications by neighborhood, age, race, and more

• Forecast 20-year fund sustainability

• Communicate clearly with council, media, and funders

“The dashboard has been the star of the show. My CEO wants one for every program.”

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

This visibility builds accountability and enables strategic pivots. It also strengthens fundraising efforts by showing impact in real time.

Listen In: Learn from Atlanta’s Housing Relief Model​

Explore how Invest Atlanta and FORWARD launched, scaled, and funded a successful anti-displacement initiative.

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