Resident retention is a cornerstone of our community development strategy, which is why Invest Atlanta recently launched the Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab program.
 
This new housing initiative offers residents forgivable loans to make critical health and safety repairs on their homes. While many homeowners may decide to sell and move elsewhere, we wanted to ensure more of our legacy residents—the bedrock of our communities—were not being displaced because they could not afford the repairs required to live safely in their homes. 
 
Last year, we launched a pilot version of the program in the Westside TAD neighborhoods of English Avenue, Vine City, and portions of Castleberry Hill. We assisted homeowners like Linda Graham, who told us once the work was complete: “I have such a deep gratitude for Invest Atlanta and am so tickled with all the work that was done.” 
 
Building from the pilot, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in March announced a $9 million investment to take Owner-occupied rehab citywide. Since then, we have received around 500 applications, demonstrating not only residents’ need for assistance but also the case for additional funding. 
 
This one of the reasons why the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors is set to approve $2.4 million from the Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund to scale up the program in Westside neighborhoods. We’re excited to support Westside residents with this additional funding – grants that can help with a leaky roof, plumbing, electrical work, foundation repairs and other necessities.
 
Owner-occupied rehab is only a part of Mayor Bottoms’ overall anti-displacement strategy. We look forward to working closely with the Mayor, the City of Atlanta, and our philanthropic partners on programs that enable our longtime residents to remain in the neighborhoods they helped build.
 
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