Invest Atlanta administers several Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) programs, that operate in various neighborhoods around the city of  Atlanta. They include Atlanta Heritage, Westside Heritage, and Choice Neighborhoods Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab programs. 

Heritage OOR programs are the City of Atlanta's goal to increase investments from public and private sources to support affordable housing in Atlanta.

Atlanta Heritage Program -- FAQ 

Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning and Community Development utilized $9.5MM of the 2017 Housing Opportunity Fund to create a citywide program to assist homeowners with up to $30K in critical health and safety repairs to their home.  The program launched in 2018 and took in over 750 applications during the 6 weeks application intake period.  

What Is It?

The citywide Owner-Occupied Rehab program provides a deferred forgivable loan for 10-years at a 0% interest rate with payments deferred and forgiven until the earlier of loan maturity, sale, transfer of ownership, or failure to maintain the property as the primary residence during the 10-year term.  The principal balance is reduced by 10% annually, provided the eligible homeowner maintains primary residency.  The prorated remaining balance is due and payable immediately if the home is sold, transferred or no longer the primary residence within the 10-year term.  A lien will be placed on the home.

This application is currently closed and is not accepting new applications.   

A new Atlanta Heritage application will open in the first quarter of 2023 utilizing $11MM of the 2021 Housing Opportunity Bond funds.  Take the following steps to get prepared!

• Ensure your mortgage payments are current
• Ensure that your title is clean with no outstanding liens, other than your mortgages
• Ensure that all owners agree with participating in the program
• Ensure that you have active homeowners’ insurance
• Ensure that you have documentation of your veteran status
• Ensure that you have documentation of your disabled status
• Ensure you have documentation of your income

Westside Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program -- FAQ

This OOR program is for residents in the Westside TAD neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue and portions of Castleberry Hill), and is funded by the Vine City Trust Fund and Westside TAD tax increment financing.  It provides up to $60K for health and safety repairs for eligible households earning 80% of the area median income or less. Funds will be provided in the form of a 10-year forgivable loan at a 0% interest rate with payments deferred and forgiven until the earlier of loan maturity, sale, transfer of ownership, or failure to maintain the property as the primary residence during the loan term. 

This program is currently accepting applications.  Please contact Meals On Wheels Atlanta to apply at 404-351-3889 or vcox@mowatl.org. 

Eligibility Requirements for Westside Heritage OOR

• Homeowner within the Westside Tax Allocation District (Vine City, English Avenue, and portions of Castleberry Hill)
• Must be a primary homeowner and existing resident as of September 30, 2015
• Household income must not exceed 80% of area median income (AMI), adjusted for household size. (Income Limits PDF)
• Homeowners with 1st mortgage liens are permitted.  Homes with other liens (2nd mortgages, tax liens, FIFAs, etc. are ineligible for the program.
• Water liens without a payment plan are ineligible for the program.

Choice Neighborhoods Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program -- FAQ

Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta have launched a deferred forgivable loan program that provides up to $70,000 in federal funds to eligible Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center homeowners complete health and safety repairs on their home.

Funds are provided in the form of a forgivable loan at a 0% interest rate with payments deferred and forgiven until the earlier of loan maturity, sale, transfer of ownership, or failure to maintain the property as the primary residence during the loan term.  The maximum loan amount per home is $70,000, inclusive of all construction related costs and closing costs. Loan term will be determined by loan amount, not to exceed 10 years.

The application is currently closed, as the program is sunsetting.

Invest Atlanta Income Limits & Maximums

DOWNLOAD      (PDF)

Contact Your Program Manager for More Information

(Click here to find your District. Type in your address and look under Administrative Area.)

View completed rehab info including funds expended: City of Atlanta Affordable Housing Tracker

Homeowner Testimonials

Jeanette Henderson (Resident of City of Atlanta District 2)

Mrs. Henderson is Atlanta native and has been a homeowner in the City of Atlanta for 65 years. As a recipient of a forgivable Heritage Owner Occupied Rehab loan, Henderson was able to afford critical health and safety repairs on her home.

“A lot of people don’t think about the seniors,” said Henderson. “I think the program is a nice thing for senior citizens because seniors don’t really have a lot of money to get these things done.”
 
Henderson bought her home because she was interested in being a homeowner instead of renting an apartment in Atlanta. With her loan, she is able to remove mold, install new planks, treat and repair termite damage, repair her hot water tank, upgrade pipes, and replace her stairs.
 
“Some seniors can afford to get some things done but they can’t afford to get everything done,” said Henderson. “This program was a great idea!”

Robert Fisher (Resident of City of Atlanta District 5)

The Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) program has helped Mr. Robert Fisher stay in the East Atlanta home he has lived in for more than 45 years.

His daughter Jacqueline told him about Heritage OOR, and with the funds he received, program managers from the National Property Institute made important repairs to his home. These included upgrades to his heating and air conditioning systems, a new coat of paint on the house, and the trimming of trees on his property.

Asked if he’d recommend the program to his friends and neighbors, Mr. Fisher said, “Of course I would.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “And I appreciate it.”

“I think it’s a beneficial program for people that plan to stay in their homes,” his daughter said. “It’s worthwhile, especially if you’ve got many things you want to have repaired and you’re on a fixed income, you can’t afford to get it done yourself. So it’s beneficial, very beneficial.”