Tanisha Corporal is one of the many participants of the Legacy Resident Retention Program (LRRP), a resource to help longtime homeowners living near the Atlanta BeltLine stay in their homes by covering the costs of property taxes through the 2030 tax year. As the program protects the most legacy homeowner residents of any program in Atlanta, many of the participants have been open about the amazing opportunity that this presents for them and their future.
Corporal lives in the neighborhood called Historic South Atlanta. She has benefited from the LRRP by having the opportunity to save money and provide a bright future for her son once he graduates.
Corporal spoke with rolling out about her experience in the LRRP and why people who are eligible should join.
How has this program benefited you?
For me, I have an interest-free mortgage — which is not related to BeltLine, it’s through another community development organization. I’m more than three-fourths of the way toward paying it all. Even though it’s a nonprofit and a community development organization, my taxes and my insurance are paid through escrow. So, although the BeltLine is going to check my taxes — and pay the increase based on the 2020 taxes as they agreed to the project — I still pay what the county in the city puts out. I still pay that because my mortgage company is, like, “Okay, you have this going on with the Beltline, but we still have to do our due diligence.”
So, what has ended up happening? I remember thinking, “What am I going to do if I’m paying it and then the BeltLine pays it?” Well, I have a son in college, so when I get that check … from Fulton County because there’s an overage, I’ve been able to save that and also use some of that to help my son so that he doesn’t have to incur the debt that I did while he’s in school. Not only is it helping me have a sense of community and not lose my home — which is the American Dream for us — but it’s also helping the next generation of my family because I’m able to support my son in school with the refund that I get back. It’s just been an opportunity for me to, you know, save up and not be concerned about the security of my family.
What would you tell someone unsure about joining the LRRP at first?
My experience has been great. I don’t think I have had one complaint. The application process was not hard, and I think it’s probably gotten a bit easier now. I did it through email and digitally, but I think they’re actually coming into the community. So, I think that, if you make it accessible for folks and there are real people that can help them through the process, then it’s not as daunting as it looks.
Some folks may have had negative experiences dealing with corporate organizations or government organizations, like when they try to apply for benefits or get something to help them with their welfare or well-being — and this process is not that. I say do it and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something, or even ask for support in the application process. Talk to people who have experiences [with] it.
