Our Community Deserves A TAD That Serves Residents, Not Developers

Below is a letter that I have shared with neighbors, business owners and City Hall leadership.

I am writing on behalf of residents, business owners, and community leaders in Southwest Atlanta. We are deeply concerned about how Tax Allocation District (TAD) funds are not being used in our neighborhoods.

TADs were created to help reinvest in communities, stabilize neighborhoods, prevent displacement, and improve the quality of life for residents. However, in practice, we have observed too many instances where these funds benefit large developers. Meanwhile, longtime residents and small businesses are left behind.

Property taxes are rising, rents are increasing, and affordable housing is limited. The loss of legacy businesses also adds to the struggles. These factors are placing real pressure on families who have invested in this community for generations. Too often, development is happening without meaningful community input and without protections for the people who live and work here.

We believe the current TAD model is not working for Southwest Atlanta residents. Link to a 2023 PSE, study that backs this up, https://psequity.org/deed-report-released-broken-from-the-start-an-analysis-of-atlantas-tax-allocation-districts-and-their-impacts-on-communities-of-color/

We are calling for a system that:

Prioritizes affordable housing and home stabilization
Protects residents from displacement
Supports local and Black-owned businesses
Provides full transparency on how public dollars are spent
Includes residents in decision-making from the beginning
Invests in community ownership and long-term stability

Public money should serve the public good. Our tax dollars should strengthen our neighborhoods, not push people out.

We are asking our elected leaders to listen to the voices of the residents. We want them to work with us to redesign and reform the TAD process. It should truly serve the people it was intended to help.

We want a seat at the table.
We want accountability.
We want development without displacement.
We want a TAD that works for residents — not just developers.

Southwest Atlanta deserves investment that honors our history, protects our future, and builds shared prosperity.

We look forward to collaborating with city, county, state, and federal leaders. Our goal is to create a fair and transparent approach. We are committed to a community-centered development process.

One last thing, can you send this to 5 people today and confirm when done? Also, share it with your employees/ leaders at City Hall. All of their contacts are below, Just copy, paste, and send. Even better, write to them in your own words with your own experiences.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Sheryl Brown, Proud resident of Adams Park, ca. 2002, Districts 5,6,& 11 and NPUR
Community Advocate & Strategist
Founder, Thrive PR Atlanta
West Atlanta Leadership Alliance (WALA)

Atlanta City Council Members contact #’s

mbond@atlantaga.gov

mwestmoreland@atlantaga.gov

Kbond@atlantaga.gov

bdamos@atlantaga.gov

jdozier@atlantaga.gov

awan@atlantaga.gov

Tworthy@atlantaga.gov

mnorwood@atlantaga.gov

drhillis@atlantaga.gov

aboone@atlantaga.gov

Wmartin@atlantaga.gov