Rob Brawner is the executive director of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, an organization that helps residents connect with affordable housing and economic development. Brawner was present in Atlanta on March 28 as the Rocket Community Fund announced a combined $550,000 in new funding to protect Atlanta homeowners and renters from displacement.
Brawner spoke with rolling out about the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, how they helped with the latest housing development and programs that BeltLine residents need to know about.
How did the Atlanta Beltline Partnership play a role in the housing development?
It’s super exciting to hear about the additional investment the Rocket Community Funds are making in Atlanta. We were the beneficiaries of one of their first investments here as they moved in. They made a significant investment to help pay the increases in property taxes so legacy residents around the BeltLine could stay in their communities and build wealth. To see them now come back after we’ve had the opportunity to be part of the Neighbor to Neighbor program — to take that data and then make this new investment, both to help with back taxes for legacy residents and then the support from the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, a great partner of the Atlanta BeltLine partnership — I’m really excited to hear about the eviction protections that are going to be rolled out as a result of the Rocket Community Fund.
What is your role?
We are the 5019(c)(3) that supports the vision for the Beltline and makes Atlanta more connected and more equitable. We do that through philanthropic fundraising through programming that helps connect residents to the BeltLine but also helps existing residents stay in their communities and connect with the economic opportunities that the BeltLine provides. We are raising lots of money to help build parks and trails to keep residents in their place to even do fun things like tours, health and wellness. We have the city’s largest free fitness program. We have lots of great ways for seniors to connect with the BeltLine, and we’re just excited to be a partner with Rocket Community Fund.
What programs do you offer citizens living around the BeltLine?
The Atlanta BeltLine comes into communities, and we know that that’s going to make things more attractive. More people are going to want to live in neighborhoods around the BeltLine, and that can increase housing costs and can increase property taxes. We certainly want to make sure that the existing residents in those communities who have been there for generations get to stay and that they get to benefit. Two of the programs that we have are geared toward helping those residents. One is our legacy resident retention program. Rocket Community Fund was a big funder of that, and it pays the increase in property taxes the legacy residents experience. As property taxes go up, we’ll cover those increases through 2030. The other program we have is our home empowerment workshops. We actually help residents learn how to appeal their property taxes, make sure that they’re taking their homestead exemptions, working with partners like AVLF. We help renters understand their rights regarding eviction protection. We even help connect residents with partners and programs to help with home repair.
