I believe that economic prosperity starts with equity – equal access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. One of the ways we at Invest Atlanta are working hard to achieve this is through our downpayment assistance program to help more Atlantans benefit from homeownership.

Our downpayment assistance programs provide forgivable loans to new homebuyers in amounts up to $14,000 to cover down payments and closing costs. For many would-be homeowners, these funds make the difference between years of renting and owning a tangible wealth-building asset.

There are few things more fulfilling in my job than hearing the stories of  homebuyers we have helped, like Corrine Collins. After living with her mother while working as a paralegal, she came across Invest Atlanta’s downpayment assistance program.

“I was almost in disbelief when I learned about these incentives,” says Corinne. “To think that Invest Atlanta would contribute toward my down payment – and I don’t have to repay it – you just can’t beat that … It’s a great feeling knowing that, with the help of Invest Atlanta, I own this home and am building equity in my community.”

As we continue to build a more equitable city under the leadership of Mayor Bottoms and her One Atlanta vision, Corrinne Collins and the nearly 1,200 homeowners we have supported with downpayment assistance since 2010 make me so proud of the work we do every day to make Atlanta a place where everyone can thrive.

#IamIA