Taxes, Down Payments, and More | Affordable Housing

Some organizations will help by either keeping your taxes down if the taxes in that area have risen a lot by helping keep them down or by helping to pay your rent. Instead of helping buy your house, they help you pay it off

United Way of Greater Atlanta

Programs: Free, reliable tax preparation (Either VITA, under 67k/yr, or MyFreeTaxes, under 84k/yr)
Eligibility: low-to-moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, those with
limited English proficiency
How to Apply: Residents can apply through their website or by contacting United Way for assistance.
Website: United Way of Greater Atlanta

Fulton County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Programs: This program provides up to 18 months of rental assistance, including help with rent arrears and future rent payments, as well as utility assistance.
Eligibility: Residents of Fulton County who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. Low-income individuals or families that can demonstrate their risk of homelessness or housing instability
How to Apply: Applications can be submitted through the Fulton County website or by contacting their assistance line.
Website: Fulton County Rental Assistance

Urban League of Greater Atlanta

Programs: The Urban League offers rental and utility assistance programs, including help with arrears and future payments for eligible residents.
Eligibility: Programs are targeted at low-income families and individuals who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Apply: Applications can be submitted through their website or by contacting the Urban League directly.
Website: Urban League of Greater Atlanta

Open Doors Atlanta

Programs: Open Doors Atlanta administers the Georgia Rental Assistance Program, providing funding for past-due rent and utility payments.
Eligibility: Statewide eligibility for individuals and families whose finances have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Apply: Applications can be submitted through the Georgia Rental Assistance website.
Website: Open Doors Atlanta

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

Programs: DCA runs several rental assistance programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program and other rental aid initiatives.
Eligibility: Programs are generally for low-income families and individuals, with specific eligibility requirements for each program.
How to Apply: Interested applicants can apply through the DCA website during open application periods.
Website: Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Atlanta BeltLine Legacy Retention Program

Programs: The BeltLine helps long-time residents in West and Southside BeltLine areas by covering property tax increases.
Eligibility: Homeowners in specified BeltLine neighborhoods. Must have lived in the designated areas since before March 2017. Must make less than 2024 US HUD Metro Atlanta AMI Levels based on household size
How to Apply: Submit your pre-registration
- Verify your Atlanta residency within program boundaries
- Confirm income eligibility
- Validate homeownership status and length of residency
Website: Atlanta Beltline Legacy Retention Program

A down payment is a percentage of your home's purchase price that you pay immediately when you buy a house. Many people pay a down payment, then they pay off the rest of the loan a little per month

Organizations that Help:

Georgia Dream Homeownership Program:

Eligibility: First-time homebuyers, those who haven't owned a home in the past three years, or those purchasing in targeted areas.
Assistance: Up to $10,000 for standard applicants and up to $12,500 for public protectors, educators, nurses, and those with disabilities.
Conditions: Household income and liquid asset limits apply, and buyers must meet mortgage credit requirements.
Website: Georgia Dream Homeownership Program)

Fulton Homeownership Program

Eligibility: Homebuyers in Fulton County.
Assistance: Down payment assistance for eligible homebuyers
Conditions: Must meet specific income requirements and be purchasing within Fulton County.
Website: Fulton Homeownership Program

Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Programs

Eligibility: Homebuyers purchasing within Atlanta.
Assistance: Various programs offering up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs.
Conditions: Homebuyers must contribute $1,500 of their own funds, and the property must be owner-occupied and within specified boundaries.
Website: Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Programs

Atlanta Housing Authority

Eligibility: Residents of Atlanta, including low-to-moderate-income households.
Assistance: Financial support for down payments and closing costs.
Conditions: Varies by program; some require completing homebuyer education courses.
Website: Atlanta Housing Authority

Atlanta Fire Rescue Program

Eligibility: Sworn members of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and EMT's.
Assistance: Up to $30,000 for down payment and closing costs.
Conditions: Must be a first-time homebuyer or not have owned a home in the past three years, and the property must be within Metro Atlanta.
Website: Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF)