Maintaining the Legacy of Historic Atlanta Neighborhoods
A Project by:
Students of the Honors 3260 Interdisciplinary Seminar- The Herndon Legacy
Sarah Johnson, Phung Tran, Selina Cui, Mariah Johnson, Catherine Williams, Trey Robinson, Heather Chandler, Makayla Nudo, and Jacob Snyder
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“As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all.”
Atlanta Beltline
Legacy Resident
Anyone that’s lived in a home located in the Atlanta BeltLine planning area before March 2017 .
Project Goal
No legacy homeowners are displaced because of gentrification based on Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The 6 Shifts of Social Change Theory
Shift 1 - Awareness
Current Knowledge:
Legacy homeowners are being displaced which is degrading the culture built by generations before them in Atlanta neighborhoods, and the community is unaware.
Future Knowledge:
The community is aware that Legacy homeowners are being pushed away from their homes, breaking up Atlanta neighborhoods
Rakia Reeves
“This is our neighborhood, we have been here, and we need to make sure it is focused around us and that our views and decisions are being interpreted into whatever decisions are being made about our community. So it is very important to me that our values and ways are not being shut out by someone else’s and how they think things should be.” ~ Rakia Reeves
Shift 2 - Definition: What is the injustice?
Current State:
-Legacy homeowners are being displaced due to an unadvertised and unaffordable increase in property taxes
- The community is outraged and feel helpless
-Gentrification caused by the beltline is pushing original Atlanta natives and their culture out of Atlanta.
The Future:
-Legacy homeowners are aware of the support available to them from the government and community and can afford to keep staying where they belong.
-All people will live and thrive in their communities.
How are homeowners being displaced?
How much would you pay for this home?
3 beds, 2 baths
1000 sq. ft.
Lot size: 0.26 acres
Built in: 1900
1019 Lawton St, Atlanta, GA 30310
(278% from previous year’s value)
Current Market Price:
$125,000
Fair Market Price:
$61,700
Assessed Value:
$24,680
House Price History in surveyed Atlanta homes
Shift 3 - Current behavior by the numbers
Current Behavior:
-There are 1,288 homeowner households in subarea 1 with approximately 754 at area median income or less many of which don’t know of limited existing benefits and are fearful/angry about potentially losing their homes.
Future Behavior:
-All 1,288 homeowners in affected areas are actively engaged in the program and applying for exemptions. Targeted residents spread the knowledge to the rest of the community.
The Short Term Solution
Replicate Westside’s Future Fund in an Anti-Displacement Tax Fund Program for South and West communities
The Beltline Partnership wants to raise $5,000,000 to fund the project for 10 years.
To Take Part in the Program:
Legacy homeowners must be at area median income (AMI) or less and be a homeowner in the community
BeltLine Support Programs
Homeowners get tax exemptions:
Basic homestead Exemption
Homestead Exemption for Seniors
Homestead Freeze for Seniors
Tax exemption for Surviving Spouses of Firefighters or Peace Officers
Homeowner Empowerment Workshops
Workshops hosted by the Beltline Partnership program. Gives information to homeowners
If all qualified homeowners apply for these programs, they could save a total of almost $8,000,000 over the ten years.
How are property taxes calculated?
Assessed value of property (40% of fair-market value) x Millage rate
Multiple categories are calculated for tax district: BONDS, GENERAL, PARKS, SCHOOL BOND, SCHOOL
County categories include BONDS and OPERATION
The sum of ALL categories is the TOTAL PROPERTY TAX BILL for the Fulton (Atlanta) cycle.
Example Tax Bill
Area 1
Shift 4 - Engagement
1
weekly Ads
3
community testimonials
5
town hall meeting
2
radio commercials
4
workshops
In 3 months, we aim to reach 377 of the 754 Legacy homeowners in sub-area 1 by:
Shift 5 - The Public Policy Change
Long Term:
Shift 6 - Holding the Line
Quality of life actually begins at home - it's in your street, around your community.
-Charles Kennedy
“There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home”
~ Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady