HouseProud Resources
Through advocacy and education initiatives, HouseProud Atlanta is working to ensure that metro Atlanta’s most fragile residents have the resources and knowledge needed to overcome their most common homeownership problems.
Some of these challenges have been identified as:
General Assistance
ATL311
For questions regarding non-emergency services such as bulk trash pick-up, missed trash pickup, yard trimming, scrap tires, illegal signs, street signs, lighting, and code enforcement issues, please contact the Customer Service Call Center by dialing 311(Metro Atlanta area only) or 404-546-0311, Monday - Friday | 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Water Bill Management
Customers seeking assistance with water and sewer bills should call our Care & Conserve hotline at 404-546-3620 or visit www.atlantawatershed.org/care-and-conserve.
Homestead Exemption
The City of Atlanta and Fulton County allow for reduced property taxes if specific requirements are met. Homestead exemption is available for seniors age 65 or older and disabled veterans who apply by the city and county deadline. Failure to apply for the exemption can result in excessive property taxes which can cause delinquent tax payments which could sadly result in tax liens and/or foreclosure.
Click here for more information: https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2018-03-06/its-tax-season-dont-forget-your-homestead-exemption
Investor or Wholesaler Protection
Seniors and veteran homeowners are prime targets for financial fraud such as a mortgage, real estate, and contractor fraud. These fraudulent acts can result in deed theft and property liens. The sale and purchase of property tax liens can put seniors, disabled and veteran residents at risk of losing their homes preventing them from aging in place. The elderly are also prime targets for real estate wholesaling; where buyers are presenting below market value offers to senior homeowners who are unaware of their home’s current market value.
To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older adult or disabled adult who lives in a private residence, contact your local police and Adult Protective Services at 1-866-552-4464 (Press option “3”) or visit www.aging.ga.gov then click the Report Elder Abuse tab.
To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older adult, disabled adult or resident in a healthcare facility, contact Healthcare Facility Regulation at 1-800-878-6442
The Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults includes an array of topics of importance to seniors, including scams, identity theft, credit and debt, reverse mortgages, charitable giving, home repairs, funerals, advance directives, long-term care, elder abuse, and more. Click here for a copy of the report: http://consumer.ga.gov/uploads/pdf/GA_Consumer_Protection_Guide_for_Older_Adults.pdf
Canceled Homeowner’s Insurance
If not properly attended to, critical home repairs needed can cause an insurance company to cancel a homeowner’s policy. Once you receive a letter of explanation notifying you of a cancellation, you should start shopping for homeowners insurance from another insurance company because it is easier to find insurance while you are still insured.
If you’ve addressed or started addressing some of the reasons for the cancellation, share that with the insurer. You can attempt to negotiate with the insurance company, although there is no sure way to make an insurance company continue to ensure you.
You can also file a complaint with the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Filing a complaint may not result in an immediate benefit, but if the insurance company has a history of improper and illegal cancellations, it may file an enforcement action or lawsuit against the insurance company.
Homeowners can file a complaint online at https://www.oci.ga.gov/home.aspx or directly at the office:
Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Main Phone: 404-656-2070 | Toll-Free: 800-656-2298
Fax: 404-657-8542
HouseProud Atlanta, Inc.
410 Englewood Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 464-5950 info@houseproudatlanta.com
